ログインVex's POVI noticed the drained look on Sage's face when Kael said those words. Her color drained further, and her eyes went wide with something that looked like fear. She held Milo tighter, as if she was about to be taken away."What do you mean by that?" Sage asked. Her tone was filled with dread, the kind of dread that comes from a secret you have been keeping for years finally being dragged into the light.I stepped forward, my knee still aching from where the ice had struck me. "What Milo was going through, the outburst after using her blood, it is actually common among children with powerful abilities. Its something that i have read about among other things in our territory."Sage stared at me. "What are you talking about?"I continued. "When children start showing signs of their abilities at a very young age, their core is so powerful that their fragile bodies cannot handle all of it. The power builds up, and when it reaches a breaking point, it lashes out. They cannot control
Sage's POVThe men stood frozen for a moment, their faces pale, their eyes wide. Kael's grip on Tom loosened. Cass ducked as a shard of ice flew past his head. Vex stumbled back against the wall."Stay back!" I shouted. "Do not come any closer!"Kael asked. "What is happening to her?"I kept my distance from Milo, watching as fire erupted from her mouth and ice exploded from her hands. The floor was covered in frost and ash. "This is the aftermath of her using her blood to cure someone. Her powers become unstable. They lash out."Milo screamed again, a sound of pain and frustration and fear all tangled together. I could not hold her. I could not touch her. And that hurts way more.Vex's voice was hard, judgmental. "Why would you allow her to do this? You knew what would happen. You have seen this before."I snapped my head toward him. "It usually happens an hour later. I had no time to prepare. I had no time to get her somewhere safe. I never got the chance to even get her out of thi
Sage's POVVex grabbed the chain that was still attached to Tom's wrists and yanked hard. Tom's body jerked backward, dragged across the floor, his hands clawing at the ground as he tried to push himself forward again.I could not believe what I was seeing. Milo's blood was supposed to work. It had worked before. It had cured people. Why was Tom acting like this? Why was he attacking us?"Take Milo and leave," Vex said sharply. "Now."I grabbed Milo's hand and pulled her out of the cell. The three men moved inside, positioning themselves between us and Tom.The screeching from the other cells was still loud, still piercing, a chorus of monsters calling to each other.I turned Milo away from the cell. I did not want her to see this. I did not want her to watch Tom like this.Milo was crying. Her small body shook against mine, and her voice was muffled against my chest. "Does my blood not work anymore? Did I lose it? Is Tom going to die because I am useless now?"I held her tighter. "No
Sage's POVI looked at Vex, then at Tom's grey skin, then back at Vex. "I have to save him. I cannot let him die like this."Kael stepped forward with his eyes narrowed. "What are you two talking about? What is it that you do not want to share with the rest of us? We are all in this situation together."Cass moved closer as well, his expression curious and suspicious at the same time.Vex looked at me, then went to Kael and Cass. He leaned in and spoke to them in a low tone, too low for anyone else to hear. I watched their faces as Vex spoke. Cass turned to the man. "We can find our way out. You do not need to stay. Go. Attend to your other duties."The man frowned. "I should stay. The festival preparations—"Cass placed a hand on the man's shoulder and began guiding him back toward the elevator. "We will not do anything stupid. We just need a moment to discuss our next steps. Alone. Your festival is tomorrow so you don't need to rush anything."The man looked like he wanted to argue
Sage's POVMilo squeezed my hands. "Mom, I agree to do it. And you will be there to help me when I am in pain, like you always have been. You have never let me face anything alone. I know you will not start now."I looked at her small face, her steady eyes, her brave smile. I did not want my daughter to go through any kind of pain. Every scar on her body, every nosebleed from using her powers, every nightmare that woke her in the middle of the night, I carried those wounds with me. They lived in my chest, heavy and permanent. But Milo had agreed, and I trusted that everything would be fine after. I had to trust that. There was no other choice.I kissed her forehead and stood up. "Let me get ready."I washed my face, brushed my hair, and changed into clean clothes. My body was still weak from using my ability the night before, but I pushed through the fatigue. Tom did not have time for me to rest. Milo waited by the door, patient and quiet, her small hand resting on the handle.We step
Sage's POVI stared at the blue veins crawling upward like roots searching for soil. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt like I could not breathe. This was not happening. This could not be happening.Vex moved quickly. He tore a strip of fabric from his own shirt and wrapped it tightly around Tom's arm, just above the bite. He pulled it hard, cinching it down to slow the spread of the virus. Tom winced but did not cry out."It will not hold for long," Vex said. "But it will buy us some time."Tom looked at me, and his expression was already resigned. "You have to leave. I am a lost cause. There is no cure for this. You know that.""No," I said, shaking my head. "I am not leaving you."Kael knelt beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. His voice was gentle, but his words were hard. "Sage, you know what will happen to him. He will turn. He will not be himself anymore. I am sorry, but we have no other choice. We cannot take him with us."I pulled away from his touch. "I said no.







