Mia!!
Leon froze at the bedside corner, his breath stuck in his throat, eyes wide as if resisting blinking. He looked at Mia's body—her slender form had just fallen back onto the bed from mere light pressure on his part.
For an instant, the world around him contracted. The golden chandeliers, the subtle scent lingering in the air, even the wan form of Cassidy lying by his side—all of it receded, overwhelmed by the cold jerk of terror that surged through him.
"Mia!" Leon's voice broke as he stumbled forward. His arms flashed out, urgent, desperate, holding her limp form in his arms. He shook her softly, his fingers trembling. "Mia! Wake up, please—open your eyes, love!"
She didn't respond. Her eyelashes were immobile, her mouth open slightly, her chest rising so shallowly he could hardly detect it. The stillness of her non-response was a knife pressed against his heart.
No, no, no—Mia, don't do this to me!" His voice grew louder, raw and desperate.
And then—
