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“The allergic reaction you said she had before, the fever that brought her in here a few days ago, they were all the first signs of the Moonborne Syndrome starting to manifest inside her body.”

I’m glad Ethan’s standing outside this room, because if he’d heard this and looked at me with the same pitying look the doctor is giving me right now, I would have collapsed.

“No. No, that’s not true.” I’m practically shaking as I point an accusatory finger at the woman. “No. Two healers told me her protein marker was dormant. That’s what they both said, so it’s impossible that she has Moonborne Syndrome.”

“And we are deeply sorry for that. We missed it…”

“Don’t tell me you are sorry.” I wipe the hot tears streaming down my cheeks quickly, but unfortunately, Lina lifts her head and catches me crying.

“Mommy?” Lina's face is scared. Like she's terrified of the bomb the healer just dropped and needs me to reassure her that the bogeyman isn’t real and he isn't coming for her.

I look at her and I see two things.

She is pale because of me.

She is worsening because of a disease I gave her.

“Everything is going to be okay. I promise. Mommy is just going to let you play with Uncle Ethan while I talk to the doctor, okay?”

My little girl nods.

I stand up, open the door, and Ethan is already standing there waiting for me like a sentinel.

“I need to talk to the doctor. Take Lina to the car and stay with her, please?”

Ethan takes Lina into his arms, but he raises a brow at my tears.

“The boss’ order was that I stay with you throughout, Lila.”

“I know, but I need to talk to the doctor privately, so please…” I say desperately, and Ethan, despite his hesitation, nods.

Turning to my little girl, I rest my hand on her tiny chin. “I'm right behind you. Mommy will be there in less than five minutes, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Ethan peers at me curiously, skeptical about whether to leave me or not. “Everything okay?”

No. I feel like my entire world has collapsed.

I lie. “Yeah. Everything’s fine.”

I watch as Ethan takes Lina to the parking lot before retreating back to the healer’s office.

Reading her name off the name tag on her desk, bile rises in my throat as I ask, “What can I do to save my daughter, Dr. Santiago?”

“Her illness is progressing at a faster rate. She needs a genetic stabilizer, and in our world, that can only come from a complete parental bond."

I blink. "You mean…both parents."

"Yes. We can try synthetic treatments, but they’re temporary. The bond of both biological parents could stabilize her long term. We need both blood samples from you and your husband so we can make a cure for Lina.”

My heart drops to the floor, and I feel all the pieces splinter in all directions.

Biological parents?

I have no problem providing my blood, but what about the father? Hell, Alaric would give his blood in a heartbeat, but Julian wouldn’t…

Wait. Alaric.