Chapter 4

At Julian's word, they treated me like a broken toy—shoved, dragged, totally numb to it.

Dr. Wells rolled in some weird machine. Cold metal clamped onto my arm. The needle hit, and that was it.

My ichor matched Isabella's type. Of course it did. Spirit blood always does.

But it was the last of me. Once it drained, I'd be gone.

The tube filled steadily, drop by drop. Every bit pulled more of me away.

Then my power started slipping. I couldn't stop it. The chandelier above us began to rattle—hard.

Julian staggered back, panic flashing. "Sera, what the hell are you—?"

He didn't finish.

The chandelier broke free—crashing down, straight for Isabella.

In that split second, I scraped together the last of my strength—just enough to nudge the chandelier off course.

I couldn't let anyone get hurt. Not even her.

The crystals clipped her arm, leaving a thin red slash across her skin.

She screamed. Julian bolted over, shielding her like she was made of glass.

The second he saw the blood, his fury snapped loose. He thought I meant to do it.

For a second, his eyes met mine—dull, lifeless—and his anger wavered.

But Isabella's sobs dragged him right back. Any hint of doubt drowned in pure rage.

He glared at me, bloodshot and seething. "You've ALWAYS been jealous of her. You turned her into your enemy, made up all kinds of twisted lies. There was never anything between us—nothing like you imagined. She even forgave you for faking that whole savior act. And now this?"

The others jumped in, their voices sharp with disgust.

"Mr. Aster's right! Ms. Duvall's a saint, and this one? Total snake. Ungrateful and shameless."

"She's not even sick—just faking it for attention. Classic manipulator."

I couldn't fight back. No strength left.

Maybe this was it—buried in lies and hate.

Didn't matter anymore.

The end was crawling in.

Julian lingered nearby, jaw tight, watching me fade. Still waiting for me to beg.

I didn't.

When the container hit halfway, he snapped—kicked the machine over.

Marched up, grabbed my chin. His voice? Low, pissed.

"Just say you won't hurt Isabella again—and I'll forgive you!"

Somehow, I scraped up enough strength to move.

Forced my eyes open, locked on his.

And asked something totally off-script.

"Julian Aster, know what I regret most?"

He froze. Definitely didn't see that one coming.

Twenty years ago, that kid knelt in front of the Heartwood for seven straight days, full of awe, begging to be my knight.

His scraped-up knees bled into the dirt, feeding the roots, keeping me alive.

The stains on the stone? Long gone. So was that boy.

I exhaled the memory with my last bit of breath.

"My biggest regret... was believing in that little knight who swore he'd protect me."

Julian's face drained. He lunged, hands over my mouth, trying to stop the ichor.

But even he flinched—my power burned.

"Sera! It was just a little blood—who are you trying to fool with this dying act? Get up!"

His voice was sharp, but the crack in it? That was fear. He didn't even realize.

Henrietta burst in, leaning hard on her cane.

She'd just been at the family cemetery, paying respects—

Then the ground shook.

The Aster tombstone—solid granite—split clean down the middle. No warning.

She rushed back. Found me barely breathing in Julian's arms.

Her knees buckled. She hit the floor, whispering, "It's over... We are finished..."

Her gaze snapped to Julian—grief and rage blazing.

"Sera protected us for centuries. You killed her. Now we all pay."

Julian still wouldn't believe it.

Henrietta's words just pissed him off more. He dropped me and stood.

"Enough! Grandma, she's lying. And now you're in on it? We're finished? Retribution? Please."

He threw his head back, shouting, "If there's some god out there—The High One or whatever—let it come for me!"

Right then, the sky snapped dark. Storm clouds rolled in fast. Wind shrieked.

Just before everything went black, I heard them—Isabella and Julian—screaming.

Through the blur, a wave of pitch-black curse energy tore toward the estate.

Goodbye, Julian Aster.

My knight who broke his promise.

This time... I can't save you.