As the sun kissed the sea, the others went to rest. I draped a blanket over Rissa's shoulders. Her skin was cool to the touch, as if all her warmth had been channeled into the spell. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at the determined set of her jaw.
"You can do this," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the hum of magic in the air. "I believe in you."
Rey emerged from the cabin a moment later, his brow furrowed with concern. "How's she doing?"
I shrugged, my gaze never leaving Rissa's face. "The same. No change."
He nodded, rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. "I'll sit with her for a while. You should check on Jeanette."
Part of me wanted to argue, to insist that I couldn't leave Rissa's side. But I knew Rey was right. Jeanette needed me too.
With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself to my feet. "All right. But call me if anything changes."
Inside the cabin, Cathy sat beside Jeanette, holding her hand as she slept fitfully. She glanced up as I entered, her expression strained.
"How is she?" I asked softly, settling into a chair on Jeanette's other side.
Cathy shook her head. "Not good. That formless one really did a number on her."
I reached out, brushing my fingers over Jeanette's clammy forehead. She stirred slightly at my touch but didn't wake. Guilt twisted in my gut. I should have protected her better. I should’ve known somehow.
We sat in silence for a long while, the only sound Jeanette's labored breathing and the distant hum of Rissa's magic. I found myself drifting, my thoughts tangled and chaotic.
A sudden shout from the deck jolted me back to awareness. I leaped to my feet, my heart pounding.
"Luce!" Rey's panicked voice carried through the open door. "Get out here, now!"
I bolted outside, Cathy hot on my heels. The scene that greeted me stopped me cold.
Rissa was sprawled on the deck, the beam of light gone from her chest. Her face was ashen, her limbs limp. Rey knelt beside her, his fingers pressed to her throat.
"Is she...?" I couldn't finish the question, terror closing my throat.
Rey glanced up, his expression grim. "She's alive. But barely. That last pulse...it took everything she had."
I dropped to my knees beside her, gathering her into my arms. Her head lolled against my chest, her breathing shallow and erratic.
"Rissa," I whispered, brushing my lips over her forehead. "Come back to me. Please."
But she remained still and silent, lost to the world.
22
LUCE
The waves lapped gentlyagainst the hull as I stood on the deck, lost in thought. A soft sniffle broke the silence. I glanced over to see Jeanette, shoulders hunched, wiping at her face. Totally unlike her usual self.
I walked over and patted her shoulder awkwardly. "Hey, you okay?"
Jeanette took a shaky breath. "Rissa... I owe her everything. My life. Rescuing me from that... that thing."
"What happened?" I asked, brow furrowed. “How did it happen?”
Guilt stung me again. I should have asked before.
"It was only a week or so, but it took over my body, made me do things, horrible things, to sabotage you all." Jeanette wrapped her arms around herself, staring out at the dark water. "I was trapped inside, watching, unable to stop it. It dug through my memories, looking for ways to..." She swallowed hard. "To kill you. More effectively."
I couldn't imagine how torturous that must have been for her. Mind violation of the worst kind. It made me glad they were all gone.
