My grip on his wrists loosens as strength drains from trembling muscles. The manic energy that kept me going finally surrendered to bone-deep exhaustion, leaving me hollow and shaking beneath his weight.
"I can't fail Verena. I…can’t…" I whisper, the words emerging broken and raw. "Can't watch her die while I prove useless."
Theo's hands shift from my throat to grip my shoulders, giving me a sharp shake that makes my teeth rattle.
"Then let us help, you stubborn bastard! Let us save her together instead of martyring yourself trying to do it alone!"
A weak cry cuts through our confrontation — the barest whisper of sound, but enough to freeze us both mid-motion.
We turn as one to find Eva's body arching beneath Zander's hands, a desperate gasp for air breaking the night's bitter silence.
"That's it, Sweet Dynamite,” Zander encourages, easing back slightly as her chest begins to rise and fall on its own. "Fight it. Show that poison exactly who it's trying to fuck with."
Ren's hands tremble as he checks her pulse, a shaky laugh of pure relief escaping him.
"Getting stronger," he reports, tears tracking freely down his cheeks. "Whatever was in that syringe is working."
"Experimental antidote," Theo explains breathlessly, obviously overworked by our tousel before his weight finally lifted from my chest. "Marcus has been developing counters forvarious engineered toxins. Apparently he had reason to believe scorpion venom might be used and told me to bring it. Figured out of three of us, Ren would probably get here the fastest."
“You know I can…fucking run,” Zander breaths, trembling with exhaustion.
“Yeah…but you’re fucking psychotic and don’t think so best I took the reigns in this one, friend,” Ren breaths.
We’re all watching her fighting for breath, the thread rhythm both relieving but also confirming we’re not out of the woods yet.
Literally, we need to get out of here while she’s still breathing.
Still fighting.
The dog inched closer, nose pressing against her cheek with heartbreaking gentleness. Its earlier howls of mourning have transformed to soft whines of concern, massive body trembling with shared relief.
“Should I even ask about the dog?” Ren asks. I know he’s trying to make conversation so we’re not sinking into dreadful thoughts, but we need to take action.
“No,” I grunt. “But she’ll rip us all a new one if we don’t bring it along.”
Zander leans down, kissing her lightly on the lips, trying not to get in the way of her breathing. It’s as if he needs the touch and reassurance that she’s okay.
That she’s alive.
"You and that selfless heart of yours,” he growls as he presses his forehead next to hers, as he’s on his knees in front of her head. “Fuck…I’m gonna kill that mother fucker.”
That’s something we can all agree on.
“Let me guard her again,” I say loud and clear, needing to get the words out while I’m conscious.
Ren and Zander are still breathing heavily, but they’re exchanging a look before Zander mutters, “It’s her final call.”He pauses to ensure those words are set in stone and not taken out of context. “For now…we need it ‘cause she’s obviously been marked, but this didn’t take her out. He can try again.”
“Not a chance,” I grunt, trying to get on my hands and knees, but my arms give out. It’s thanks to whom I can only assume is Theo that I’m not face plating the dirt.
“I thought you were gonna give up on her,” he argues, and though he’s obviously trying not to sound mad —maybe even betrayed —he fails miserably at it.
"I fucked up, yes,” I admit that boldly. “It was wrong of me to compare her. To get lost in in the past and let it mingle with my duty and the desire that was growing for her, but I still fucking love her. Still care dearly. I can’t…if she wants me to stay away forever, I’ll take those words and abide to them, but I need to at least be given the privilege to guard her properly. Even if she hates me, just until this shit is done and we’re all secured.”
Neither Ren nor Zander look like they’ll put up an argument, but I can tell from how Theo drops me that he’s not about that.
At all.
“So you’ll abandon me? Abandon what is blooming within our triage.” He’s obviously speaking in riddles, and I get it.I really do.But for once, I’m going to be that selfish bastard.
