Page 151 of A Sunwoven Ascent

Pain split through her as they ripped into flesh. She twisted, biting and snapping, desperate to keep them back, but another Noskari latched onto her shoulder and dragged her down. Her legs buckled beneath the weight.

A sharp cry broke from her throat.

She could not breathe.

Could not move.

The wound was too deep.

Zade’s howl ripped through the manor, loud and frantic, a warning meant for every wolf close enough to hear. Then he barreled into the Noskari pinning her and wrenched it away with savage force.

Evelyne forced her head up.

There were too many.

A familiar scream pierced her ears, and she turned to see Seraphine standing over her mother, one blade buried in a Noskari’s gut, her other arm hanging uselessly at her side. She was protecting Celeste. Saving her. She was—

No.

Evelyne saw it then: the claw driven through the other side of Seraphine’s chest, holding her upright while her knife remained lodged in the creature’s stomach. The Noskari worked itself off the blade, inch by awful inch, before wrenching its claws from her body.

And Evelyne could do nothing but watch as Seraphine dropped to her knees, the knife slipping from her fingers.

Seraphine fell onto her side, and time stopped completely.

Hatred, anger, fear—it all ignited inside Evelyne at once. Fire. That was what grief felt like before it had a name. Fire burning her from the inside out, turning her heart to ash. The sounds around her dulled, the fight fading into something distant and meaningless, and for one terrible breath, she almost let herself break.

Almost.

A snarl rose from her throat as Evelyne hurled herself forward, every ounce of strength driving her toward Seraphine. Zade and Kaura surged past her, striking the creatures with a fury that destroyed what remained in seconds, as though they had felt her pain through the air and wanted vengeance for it. More wolves flooded into the kitchen and through the manor behind them, forcing the remaining Noskari to flee.

But Evelyne no longer saw them. She was already shifting, already falling back into her human body, collapsing beside Seraphine with trembling hands and a heart gone silent with terror. Blood pooled beneath her handmaid. Too much blood.

“Seraphine.” Evelyne’s voice broke as she pressed both hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, trying to hold her together. “Stay with me. Please. Please.”

Her mother grabbed a nearby cloth and pressed it over Evelyne’s shaking hands, but whatever composure Celeste had left shattered the moment the blood soaked through.

“Hold it,” Evelyne gasped, pressing harder, her palms slick, her breath ragged. “Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”

Seraphine’s eyes found hers, though Evelyne could barely see through her tears. “My lady…” she whispered.

“No.” Evelyne shook her head violently. “No, don’t. Just stay. Please. Cillian can help.” Panic seized her chest, and she lifted her head. “Cillian!” she screamed, though she did not even know if he was home. If he was safe. “Cillian!”

Seraphine’s hand rose weakly and brushed Evelyne’s cheek. A touch she had known her whole life.

“It’s all right,” Seraphine breathed. “I’m so glad…” She swallowed, her voice fading. “Glad to have been with you again.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, peaceful in a way that felt cruel. As if she had not been torn open by a monster from the darkest corner of the world. As if they were not still surrounded by blood and screams and death. As if Evelyne could do anything but watch her slip away.

“No, no, no.” Evelyne bent over her, sobbing. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

But Seraphine’s breath faded.

The beat beneath Evelyne’s trembling hands slowed.

Stopped.

“No!” Evelyne wailed, collapsing over her as grief hollowed out everything inside her.