Imeet her.
I crash into her chest, claws grappling with hers, magic clashing with Bolvi force. The energy screams between us.
I push through.
Through the Hollowed. Through the anger. Through the part of her that wants to be forgotten.
And Itouchthe part of her that’s still mine.
StillAdora.
“Kendall,” she gasps, eyes flickering back to blue. “I can’t—hold it.”
“I’ve got you,” I say. “But you’ve gotta fight.”
“I’m tired.”
“Iknow.”
Behind me, I hear the others breaking through the rubble. Callum’s voice. Elias shouting orders. But all I see is her.
Adora.
Tears streaming. Power radiating. And breaking apart.
I shift back slowly, dragging her into my arms as she collapses. Her skin’s burning, but I hold her tighter.
“Don’t leave me,” I whisper.
She clutches my wrist.
“I’m still here,” she says.
And then she passes out.
The next few hours blur.
Callum orders the perimeter sealed. Elias takes command of the east ridge. Supernaturals pour in, forces uniting tighter than before.
And me?
I stand in the middle of the ruins, covered in blood, holding my sister’s hand as the Hollowed’s presence fades.
I don’t speak until Callum kneels beside me.
“She’s breathing,” I say.
He nods. “So are you.”
I look at him.
He brushes hair from my face, thumb gentle over a cut on my cheek.
“You shifted differently,” he says.
“I didn’t fight it this time.”
“You didn’t just shift.”