Tavrik slammed a hand into Theo’s chest, shoving him aside, and took his place in front of me.
“No.”His voice was steel.“You won’t touch them.”
Zaheera threw her head back and laughed.A low, mocking chuckle like he had just said something deeply amusing.She quirked her head, studying him like a curious insect.
“And what willyoudo to stop me, soldier?”Her voice dripped with contempt as she circled closer.“What power do you hold against mine?”
Her dark presence wrapped around us like chains.
“Tavrik,” I pleaded, reaching for his arm.“Please, don’t—”
The words died in my throat as her hand shot out, fingers curling like talons.
She sank them straight into Tavrik’s chest.
His breath hitched.A choked, strangled sound.A wet crack split the air—the sound of ribs giving way.Of flesh surrendering.
“NO!”
The scream came from my very soul.
Tavrik’s entire body convulsing as shock and agony crashed over him.He mauled at the arm buried deep in his ribcage.The fabric draped over him darkened, blooming with crimson that spread like spilled wine.Blood bubbled at the corners of his mouth as he tried to speak, his lips forming my name but producing only a wet gurgle.
His eyes—those kind, steady eyes that looked at me with such warmth just hours ago—were now wide with shock.With the terrible realisation that he was dying.
“No!”Theo bellowed.“Please!Not Tavrik.Please!”
His entire body shook with heartbreaking cries.This man who had become his brother, his family, his anchor—was being destroyed right before his eyes.
With one cruel twist, she yanked her arm back, ripping Tavrik’s heart from his chest.
Blood splattered across the floor, the walls, and even across my skin.Hot and thick and metallic on my lips.
Tavrik’s body jolted, then his knees buckled.
For one suspended second, he looked at us, his lips parted around a breath that would never come.
Then he fell.
I hit the ground beside him.
“Tavrik!”I screamed, grabbing him.Shaking him.“Tavrik, please!”
His skin was still warm, still soft.I pressed my hands against the gaping hole in his chest as if I could somehow hold him together—as if I could force his heart back into place.
Theo tried to pull me away, but I fought him, grabbing Tavrik’s face between my palms.His stubble was rough against my skin.
“Please, please, wake up.”The words dissolved into broken weeping.
Nothing.
Just silence.
Zaheera towered above me, her hand dripping with his blood, his heart still gripped between her fingers.It twitched once, twice, then gave a final spasm.
I recoiled, my stomach twisting in horror.
“Such loyalty,” she mused, turning his heart in her hand.“Such devotion.And for what, I wonder?”
