Chapter 23: The Words That Kill Without Death
"I…" Her voice trembles violently.
Cristoff tightens his grip.
Justin shakes his head, tears in his eyes. "Tristana, please—"
"I…" she tries again.
Her soul feels like it's being torn apart.
"I reject you."
The words echo.
Then—
Silence.
For one heartbeat…
Two…
Then it hits.
Justin screams.
Not from physical pain—but from something far worse.
The bond doesn't snap clean.
It tears.
Rips violently, unevenly, leaving jagged pieces embedded in both of them.
Tristana collapses, clutching her chest as if she's dying.
Because part of her is.
Justin falls forward, choking on the emptiness flooding him.
"No…" he gasps. "No, no—"
Their connection—once warm, whole, alive—
Is now a hollow, bleeding void.