When the doctor finally emerged, weary and pale, I pounced. “She’s—?”“She’s stable,” he said, voice cautious, surprised at my intensity. “She’ll wake soon. Rest would help most now.”Relief slammed into me so hard my knees nearly buckled. I forced myself inside, ignoring his protests.She lay there
Nicholas’s POVThe smell of twisted metal and gasoline burned my nostrils as I tore at the car door, muscles straining until my fingers ached and my knuckles cracked. Rain plastered my hair to my forehead, poured down my face, mingling with the sweat and blood that already coated my skin. The wreck
“No! Hold on, Carl! Mama’s coming!”Rain slicked the pavement, turning the world into a sheen of silver and black. My windshield wipers struggled against the downpour, squealing in protest, unable to keep up with the deluge. Every puddle threatened to throw me off course, every wet curve a potential
Esther’s POVThe night air was heavy, thick with the lingering stench of rain-soaked streets and the oily remnants of the tavern I had left behind. My hands still smelled faintly of alcohol and sweat, despite the way I had scrubbed them raw at the sink. I had quit—I had finally quit—but relief did n
Carl was sitting up in bed, sweat-soaked and shaking, eyes wide, golden sparks flickering in his irises—the feral edge I feared most.“Carl!” I rushed to his side, panic surging. “Breathe, love. Just breathe. Mama’s here. It’s all right. You’re safe.”He clawed at his chest, gasping, the way a small
Esther’s POVThe air smelled of damp stone and desperation. Maybe it was just me.Ever since I walked out of Brenn’s warehouse, my pride burning hotter than my empty stomach, I had been spiraling. The coin I had tucked away for emergencies was nearly gone. Carl’s medicine was running low, dangerousl