Silas The pain hit like fire pouring through my veins, the poisoned blade still buried in my side as Ronan's face twisted in hate above me. Blood soaked my shirt, hot and sticky, and the cottage spun in a blur of shadows and flickering lantern light. Tessa's scream echoed sharp, cutting through the roar in my ears. I twisted hard, beast surging despite the poison, my hand clamping on his wrist. 'You bastard,' I growled, voice ragged, pulling the knife free with a wet suck that made my stomach lurch. He staggered back, eyes wide with shock, but I lunged, claws half-extended from the shift, raking his arm deep. Ronan yelped, blood spraying, and bolted for the door, crashing through it into the night. The cold air rushed in, carrying the scent of rain-soaked earth and pine, but I collapsed against the wall, vision blurring. 'Tessa... help,' I rasped, the world tilting. She was there in an instant, hands pressing cloth to the wound, her face pale but fierce, tears streaking her cheeks.
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