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Blood in the water.

Look down.

My claws, covered in blood.

Gashes on her hips.

Her eyes wide. Lip trembling. Face scrunched in pain.

I stare.

Broken. I broke her.

I wanted her too much.

Aethan.

Her voice comes, distant, like a whisper.

Aethan, it’s okay.

She cups my cheek. Stroking softly.

Aethan, let’s go. Take me to Lucas.

Her words register, but barely.

I hold her. Swim with her.

Gentle.

Her blood trails behind us.

Evidence of my crime.

I don’t deserve her.

I cannot love her.

I lied.

I.

Am.

Not.

Safe.

Chapter forty-five

Nahla

Wedon’ttalkaboutwhat happened.

I recall bits and pieces. Me, in shock. Aethan, in terror. Pain. Deep, fleshy pain. Water parts around my body. Our mental link dilutes. A flash of cold wind, then the sound of creaking metal gates. Bare hands clutch me to a firm chest. A racing heart, battering ribs.

His heart. I can feel it aching.