She was dying in Gavriel's arms, and Dexmon could feel every second of it.
Ahead of him, Hyran opened a portal mid-corridor and Gavriel ran through. Dexmon plunged after them at Alpha speed, closing the distance.
The blood soaking Gavriel's shirt was wrong. Bright, human red, pouring from her mouth like her body had already stopped fighting.
"Hang on, Serena. No dying on me today." Gavriel's tone was steady and light, but the look on his face told a different story.
He carried her into a private room and laid her on the bed. Tears spilled from her eyes, and her hand found his.
Dexmon's vision tunneled.
Then she coughed. A horrifying amount of blood spilled from her mouth, splattering the white sheets. She let go of Gavriel's hand, gasping for air, her chest hitching as if her lungs refused to work.
"No," Dexmon breathed.
He was at her side instantly, hauling her upright against his chest, arms locking around her like iron.
