Hate her?No.Not at all.In fact, sitting here and looking at her, worrying she’ll die feels worse than any injury I’ve ever endured.It feels...devastating.Horrible in every way I can’t even explain or understand.
Bond her, stupid,Asteria says.I don’t understand why you haven’t already.
All my reasons fade—if that could help her...You really think she’s dying?
Jade rushes to her side, pressing her hand against Liz’s forehead.“She already looks dead, to me.”
Her heart...is it beating?Am I already too late?I reach for her then, pulling on her soul with all my might.But there’s nothing to pullon.
It’s gone.
I’m too late.
When humans’ hearts stop beating, they die.
“Shock her,” Jade says, her eyes pleading with Asteria.She takes Liz’s hand and squeezes.“It’s the only chance we have.Please.”
What?
“It’s what the doctors do in movies when someone’s heart stops,” Jade says.“They zap them with electricity—not a lot.A little.Then a little more if that doesn’t work.”
You want me to...Asteria creeps closer, her face studying the cold, pale form of Liz.She looks worried.I might hurt you.
Jade releases Liz’s hand.“Now.”
I suppose now it’s my turn to beg.If there’s even a chance it will help...no matter how you feel about her, please do this for me.
I don’t hate her,Asteria says.I’m jealous.That’s not the same.But winning because she died...She shakes her head.The only thing worse would be causing her death myself.You’d never forgive me for that.
“Please.”Jade’s crying now, and she leans one hand against Asteria.
The strike blessed princess isn’t cold, but she’s hardly warm.In that moment, though, she looks at Jade with affection.Alright.Step back.
I watch intently as Asteria zaps Liz.
Her soft body spasms, more blood oozing out.
“That might have been too much.”Jade peers at her.
Nothing happens.
“Or maybe try just a little more.”Jade’s eyes are wide.
Do you have any idea what you’re asking her to do?I want to rend Jade into tiny pieces for not knowing.
“I don’t know.”Jade’s crying furiously, now.“Their bodies jolt around like that in movies, too.They shake and spasm.”
The ground around Liz is now reddish brown, sticky with her blood.Her heart’s not beating.She’s pale—so pale—except for her mangled wing.It’s scarlet in one large section, and that part’s glistening brightly.
Asteria leans over her again, and she zaps her harder this time, the lightning visibly arcing from her face to Liz’s chest.
This time, Liz gasps and half-sits up, gasping and then wheezing.
I don’t wait for her to die again.I pull as hard as I can on her very soul, and she spins toward me, her eyes wide and terrified.The bright light that’s the core of my warrior expands, burning like a supernova, and then it explodes around us.
I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,Asteria says.What just happened?
“What was weird about it?”Jade asks.“I mean, her hair turned red, but it did that before—I didn’t see anything else.Is she going to be alright?”
