Page 104 of Wicked Fate

Same,Xander replied.We’re heading to the basement.

Our survivors rushed to the royal wolf shifters as panic took over once more.

My mind went to Raven.

Could I save her? She’d ended the war.

I pulled away from Ryker, who tensed.

What are you doing?His eyebrows rose, causing blood to run down his nose from his injury.

I want to try to heal Raven.

I ran up the stairs and dropped beside her.

Her eyes were half-lidded, lips already a waxy blue. Her heartbeat was faint and growing weaker.

“Stay with me,” I begged as I slipped my hands into the top of her dress so I could place my hands over the wound.

Yanking hard, my fae magic spread like wildfire through my veins like it had for Kendric and myself.

Please don’t let me be too late.

Ryker slid in beside me, and Briar knelt on my other side, silent, eyes shining. None of us spoke.

The heat exploded through my fingers, but it hit the resistance of what I realized was Raven’s vampire essence. The two forces bucked against each other, cancelling each other out until nothing but a faint spark remained.

I tried again and again and again, until I wound up leaning against the wall in exhaustion. Still, I kept trying. Ryker’s arms braced my back, supporting me.

I could feel his worry, and I knew what it meant. He was afraid of what would happen if I couldn’t save her but also knew he wouldn’t be able to stop me from continuing to try.

“No, no, no—” My tears blurred Raven’s face. I poured out everything—my strength, my heartbeat, my hope—until my vision tunneled.

Raven’s pulse continued to slip away under my hands.

A sob ripped free. I bowed my head, shoulders shaking, hot tears splattering her blood-slick skin.

Hurried footsteps came down the stairs, and Kendric arrived with Xander on his heels.

Raven’s chest hitched.

A ragged gasp scraped past her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing on me, then toward the footsteps.

“Kendric…”

Something shattered in his expression, and he dropped down hard beside us.

“I’m here.” His voice cracked.

Raven’s fingers twitched. Kendric laced his hand with hers as his lips pressed into a hard line.

I’m sorry.I sniffled.I can’t save her. I tried.My head swayed as exhaustion closed in on me once more.

“I was wrong,” she whispered. “I thought loyalty mattered more than… than what I felt.” She coughed, crimson flecking her mouth. “You made me see her lies.” Her gaze moved to Ryker and me. “And neither of you did anything wrong. You shouldn’t have trusted me after what I did. Don’t carry the guilt.”

“Donotsay goodbye.” Kendric shook his head, tears streaking the grime on his cheeks. “We’ll see if a witch—”

“It’s too late. But listen.” Her bottom lip quivered as she took in a rattled breath. “I did love you. That part was real.”

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