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Cain’s hand grips Xavier’s throat tightly, but he doesn’t squeeze.

“You really are a pesky little thing,”

he spits. “I’m going to give you one last chance. Swear a blood oath, or watch your friend die.”

No, no, no.

My heart races, my head swirling in search of a plan, any sort of plan at all. I have daggers strapped to my thighs, but I’ll never be able to throw them quicker than he can tear out Xavier’s throat. My gun is back at the AIA. The sword is useless from this far away.

Panic settles over me, my hands growing slick around the hilt.

I don’t know what to do.

For once in my life, I don’t see a way out of this.

“On the count of three, I’m going to tear your friend’s throat out,”

Cain warns. I shift my gaze to the dagger on my thigh. “If you reach for another blade, I will kill him.”

“Don’t do this, Cain. Please don’t do this. I – I can’t swear a blood oath to Lilith.”

It comes out as a screech-like plea, desperation clawing at me from within. I can’t aid the destruction of humanity. I can’t let my only family die.

“You don’t have a choice.”

Cain smirks at me and tightens his grip on Xavier’s throat. “One —”

Time slows. A million scenarios play through my mind, but in none of them does Xavier forgive me for dooming mankind to save him.

I could reach for the blade, but then Cain will kill him. I could lunge at them, but then he’ll kill him. I could swear an oath to Lilith, but then she’ll have me kill him and every human left in this world.

It’s okay.

The foreign words float through my mind and draw my eyes to Xavier’s.

If you can hear me, Amara, it’s okay. I’m not going to let him kill me. Just know that it’s okay.

He smiles at me as if we’re suddenly back in the training ring, teasing each other for things that seem so pointless now. His eyes gloss over with unshed tears.

Xavier’s hand twitches slightly, reaching for the dagger in his belt.

Knowing you has made every moment of pain in this life worth it.

“No.”

My voice is low, a single tear dampening my cheek. I watch as Xavier’s fingers wrap around the steel of his blade, drawing it slowly.

“Two —”

Give them hell.

I take a risk, grabbing my own blade and aiming towards Cain. As soon as my hand wraps around the hilt, a weak screech echoes through the street.

I throw the blade with precision. It lands its mark, burying into Cain’s chest. He stumbles backward, letting go of my friend at the same time. Xavier stands still, his lips curving into a bleak smile.

I run for him the moment his knees buckle, moving quicker than I ever thought possible, yet not quick enough. Xavier’s body hits the ground a moment before I skid to a stop beside him.

“NO!”

The sound roars from deep within me as something even deeper erupts.

Xavier’s lips part and his eyes go wide. Every fibre in me lights on fire, boiling with a rage unknown to man, willing flames to take over. I hardly register pulling his body into my arms.

Xavier’s hand still holds the hilt of his blade where it’s embedded in his neck, blood dripping over his fingers.

“No —”

My head shakes as much as my hand. “No!”

It’s okay, Mara. It’s okay.

His voice is soft in my mind. His jaw falls slack.

“No! It’s not okay! It’s not okay!”

I screech. I wipe blood from his cheek and a sob escapes me.

I love you.

“Please – please don’t leave me.”

He gives me a weak smile as his hand opens slowly, falling to the ground and leaving the blade firmly in his neck. Crimson gushes from the wound.

“I love you. Please —”

The words are nothing more than barely audible sobs as I rock his lifeless body back and forth. I wipe a tear from his face. “I’m not ready to lose you. I’m not ready. You’re all I’ve got. You’re my family. I love you. Please, please don’t go.”

My arms shake as they hold him close. “I’m not ready. Please.”

Xavier’s eyes stare blankly ahead as blood drips from his open mouth.

In this moment, part of me dies.

The part of me that’s human.