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The headmaster brings his forearms together. There is a loud crack, and then everything around us goes silent. The only sound that fills the air is Connor’s labored breathing.

“Hi, babe,” Connor says, and I look down at him, terror gripping me and shaking as dark blood bubbles from his lips. I press my hand against the wound in his chest, trying to staunch the bleeding. “I-I was your warrior this time.”

I slice my finger and draw a healing rune and then another, but nothing is working. They don’t even glow. “You’re alwaysmy warrior.” I frantically draw runes wherever I can. Uriel’s warning about the holy blade circles my mind, but I shake my head and choke back a sob. I continue to try, forming runes in every space clear of blood around the jagged stab wounds.

Connor grabs my fingers, shaking his head. “I’m sorry… I won’t get to marry you.” His words are a little slurred, and his breath is coming in wet, gurgling gasps.

I sob, shaking my head. “No. You’re going to be fine. We will get Luke. He can heal you, and we’ll get married the second you’re better, and I’ll give you as many babies as you want. Just,” my voice breaks, “please live.”

Connor reaches up to cup my cheek, and I can tell even that is an effort for him. “I need you to know… no… regrets.”

I shake my head, unable to control the sobs that are wracking my body. “No. I do not give you permission to die. You can’t leave me, Connor. I need you.”

Connor strokes my cheek weakly. “You’re going to finish school, all right?”

I bend down, pressing my forehead to his. “Connor…” The sobs are suffocating me.

“Promise me,” he whispers.

“I love you. You need to get better. I need you, Connor.”

“And you’re going to fall in love again. No… no more hiding. Okay?”

I press my lips to his. “No. I’m yours. You’re going to be okay, big guy.”

Connor shakes his head. “I know you didn’t tell me everything. Promise… me… no more…. hiding.” He groans in pain.

I press down harder on his chest, trying to hold him together with everything I have. “You’re mine. My big guy. My Connor. You can’t leave me. I need you.”

“I love you, Summer.” Connor exhales, and the air shifts as time snaps back into place. His blood pours from between my fingers as the runes wear off.

“I love you. I love you so much. We’re going to get married and have babies! Please, Connor! Please!”

Connor’s hand drops from my cheek, falling to the ground.

“No. No. No. No!” I scream, pressing my head to his chest.

“Mister Romulus, get her out of here.”

I cling to Connor, screaming, sobbing, and breaking. Max scoops me up, but I struggle in his arms, fighting to get back to Connor. His vacant eyes are still open, his gaze locked on me and his hand reaching for me.

Max starts toward the mouth of the cave, and I fight harder, punching, kicking, and scratching. “Take me back! He needs me!” I scream, unable to breathe. “I can’t leave him!” Max doesn’t even flinch. His eyes burn a deep green, but he cradles me against him with care. We leave the cave, and the morning air hits me, startling painful against my broken skin. “Take me back…” I sob.

“He’s not there anymore, Summer,” Max says gently but firmly.

There is the echo of a scream from within the cave.

“You’re a liar. You’re lying! Take me back to him!” I scream, trying to throw myself out of his arms, but Max continues to hold me, carrying me away.

“He’s gone,” Max whispers again.