Damian moved with supernatural speed, crossing the room before she'd fallen more than a few inches. He caught her against his chest, one arm under her knees, the other supporting her back, cradling her like something infinitely precious and infinitely fragile.
"Shh, shh," he murmured, even though she was already unconscious. "I've got you. I've got you."
But Eve was already gone, pulled under by exhaustion or shock or the sheer overwhelming weight of everything that had just happened. Her body went completely limp in his arms, her head falling back over his supporting arm, her skin....
"Fuck," Damian cursed, his hand moving to her forehead. "She's burning up. Her skin is becoming hot....too hot. What the hell is happening to her?"
Footsteps sounded in the hallway....running. Silas burst through the door, his eyes immediately finding Eve unconscious in Damian's arms. And behind him....
The stranger.
