The sea was still red when the screams faded. Marcus lay crumpled on the cliffside, blood blooming through his shirt in thick, dark patches. The creature that had worn Elena's face dissolved into mist, carried away by the wind that howled up from the gate below.
Alex didn't remember running to his father's side, but suddenly he was there, his hands slick with blood, his breath ragged. Marcus was still breathing—barely.
"No, no, no. Stay with me. Please."
Marcus coughed, the sound wet and broken. "You... You look like her."
Alex blinked through tears. "You lied to me."
Marcus nodded weakly. "I did. To protect you. I failed again."
Liam appeared behind them, panting, bloodied from a gash on his temple. Harper knelt by Marcus, trying to press the wound closed. But it was too deep. Too much.
"She died for you, Alex," Marcus whispered. "She made me promise to keep you safe. I couldn't..."
"Tell me what happened," Alex said, voice tight.
