The world outside Valden's door was already shaking with panic. Boots thundered against the tiles, orders were barked down the corridor, and the alarm shrieked like a madman.
"Varcolacs…" I whispered, my chest tightening with worry.
Valden's hand reached out and clenched mine hard until I turned my attention back to him. "You need to go, Maeve."
"I'm not leaving you," I said with finality, my voice firm and resolute.
His jaw straightened, his eyes flickering again with the glowing green, despite the weakness still chaining his body. "I'll only slow you down. If they break through, you won't be able to protect the both of us."
"Then I'll fight twice as hard," I shouted, pulling him up with me as I tried to help him lean over me. His body was still recovering, but the fire in him was back, and I'd rather die with him than abandon him.
