“Is she dead?” Elliot shouted, rushing toward her.
“Don’t touch her!” K snapped instantly.
I didn’t think. I just moved—dropping to my knees beside her as Jess and K shifted with me, all of us forming a wall between Seph and the Equinox soldiers.
Elliot stopped short.
For a fraction of a second, something unreadable flickered across his face.
“I won’t hurt her,” he said quietly.
“Keep your hands off her,” I said, my own hands lifting without conscious thought.
Jess’s gaze swept over us once, measuring. Deciding.
Click.
The lighter sparked in her hand.
Flames licked to life around her fists.
“Keep back,” she said softly.
Only Sy moved.
He knelt beside her, careful, one massive hand brushing gently through her hair. At the touch, she shifted—subtle, instinctive—straining toward him like she recognised safety even in the dark.
A soft whimper left her throat.
“She lives,” Sy said quietly. “But she is hurt.”
He lifted his gaze toward the sky.
“Don’t you fucking dare take her,” K warned.
Sy turned his head. The look he gave him could have melted flesh.
“Sy,” I said quickly. “Don’t. It might hurt her more.”
He stilled.
“What about me?” Ash muttered, still curled protectively around her.
I couldn’t help it. I snorted.
“She needs a doctor. Or a healer. Now.” K’s voice was urgent.
I looked at Gideons unconscious body. “Did you have to knock him out?”
“He wouldn’t have helped her. But I can.” Phantom said, stepping forward. She cast a dirty look at the fallen man on the ground.
“After all, he taught me everything he knows,” she sneered.
Seph stirred on the ground. For a moment her eyes opened. I watched her gaze connect with Phantom. I sensed her disbelief and horror.
For a moment she looked at Phantom. Phantom smiled.
“Sable?” Seph whispered. “You’re dead.”
