s*x in death
"The experiment is a success. Now, bring her to the clearing. It’s time for the Ninth Life to officially end, and the Tenth to be harvested."
Julian didn't look at the trees. He looked at me. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, glass vial—a sedative.
"I'm sorry, Elowen," he whispered.
"Julian, no—"
He jammed the needle into my arm before I could finish. The world began to spin.
"I’m not letting him have you," were the last words I heard. "I’m ending the debt. Tonight."
As I fell into the dark, I saw Julian turn toward the red lights in the trees, a silver scalpel in each hand, his body glowing with a terrifying, violet flame.