Moor

ic and despair. Every muscle in my body screamed in p

ide, his expression unreadable

said, his voice f

ment sending a fresh wave of pa

contrast to the Patek Philippe he usually wore. Another piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Danial, the reckless actor, w

, as if that explained everything. "She'

lips. "She's not unstabl

d, his voice taki

ame is Aurora." Then, correcting mysel

of surprise in his cold eye

elt like ash in my mouth now. He had been my world. Now, he was just Br

, the question hanging in

," he stated, hi

voice low and shaking with suppresse

ick, too sharp. "My responsibili

, but I remained silent. What wa

wered it, his voice instantly softening. "Caryl? W

one from me, from the woman whose back was sh

" he said. "Ca

w. "You don't need to come b

ithout an

wounds on my back had become infected. I drifted in

heard voices just outside m

a hint of genuine concern in

o draw her blood. Caryl's been feeling weak. The doctor wants to r

were taking m

nd her. I was too weak to fight, too feverish to even speak. I could only w

My life force, being siphoned away for the

a hot path down my temple. The injustice of it all was

d out and, with a surprising gentle

s voice a low whisper. "I'll be b

. Another e

vial of my b

felt the last vestiges of my love for him drain

moment, in the sterile silence of the hospital room, I knew with