Epilogue

*Five weeks later*

Nessa woke up to a start, gasping for air. Her fists clenched the bedsheets in a poor attempt to calm herself.

A moment ago, she was falling from an enormous cliff into an abyss, but that was just another nightmare. She had woken up to a reality that was far more miserable.

Perspiration lined her body and her arm was bleeding again, the blood soaking into her white bed sheets. She ripped the useless bandage apart and gave the bullet wound a brief look before getting up.

Outside, the world was still enveloped in darkness. Bellpond was quieter now than it had been before and one could smell the despair with every breath.

Nessa found remnants of the herbs in one of the chest drawers. Hastily, she rubbed it over the wound. A hiss left her lips as the wound sealed itself, burning as if in contact with acid. There was no more left. That meant she'd need to see that wretched hybrid once more.

Pulling a hoodie over her head, Nessa jumped out of the window and lande