Page 91 of The Tracker's Mate: Sunderverse

“M-midnight Witch,” he managed.

Of course, only a more advanced mage would’ve been able to best him.

“Do you know her?”

He shook his head and coughed, his face disfiguring in what could only be pain. Tears spilled down Rosalina’s cheeks as she smoothed his white hair and gazed deep into his eyes.

“Can you heal yourself?” I asked.

“Too... weak.”

Seconds ticked by. Damien’s breaths grew ragged. He glanced pointedly toward his hand. It lay open and limp on the floor.

“What is it?” I asked.

He whispered a few words under his breath. A spell? Maybe he had enough strength to try to heal himself, after all. When he was done, he exhaled in relief.

“T-the cure,” he murmured.

I frowned and glanced toward his hand again. Two small vials that hadn’t been there before now rested on his palm. They shimmered with a clear liquid. They were accompanied by the coin-shaped carving he’d used to go to gian passage to Elf-hame.

“Make sure... my daughter gets it. Please. She must drink it all.”

I shook my head. “You’ll give it to her yourself.” My voice wavered with emotion, my hope slipping away.

“Promise.” He moved his hand a fraction to recall my attention to the vials.

I carefully took them and the token from his palm and stored them securely in the breast pocket of my jacket. “I promise.”

His entire body seemed to exhale with relief.

“The token is for you.”I would’ve argued about him giving me something so valuable, but I didn’t have the heart, so I just nodded.

He turned to Rosalina.

“I wish... things would’ve turned out differently.”

Rosalina pressed a hand to his cheek and smiled tenderly, then leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his pale lips. His eyes closed, and his life slipped away.

“Me, too.” Rosalina rested her forehead on his shoulders and cried.

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