David's knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground, staring at the corpse of his daughter. It was Elle.
Truly her—long black hair like a night sky, ocean-deep blue eyes just like her mother's.
"Elle… Elle, I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me." His voice cracked as he reached out, trembling fingers brushing her cheek.
The moment he touched her, her body crumbled into dust. Ash, brittle and black, like charcoal. Like the night she burned alive.
"No! No, no, no!" His scream tore through the dream. "Don't leave me again!"
He tried desperately to hold onto the ashes, but they slipped through his fingers, carried away by the cruel wind.
A hand touched his shoulder. Soft, steady.
"David…"
It was Maria. Somehow, her expression was calm. Of course, it was because she was a Pharos.
Their kind could resist Psyche-type vampires. Not invincible, but clear-eyed enough to see through the lies.
David's chest tightened with envy.
