Page 111 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

“It’s all right,” she nodded.

“Help her!” I screamed at Caleb as he ripped the ends of his tunic, tying them around Sandra’s wrists. “Help her!”

The blood painted the white tunic in mere seconds as I held her wrists willing the blood to stop escaping.

“It’s all right,” Sandra shook her head. “It’s a gift.”

“Sandra—”

“It is not your fault.” She smiled through the tears. “I do not wish to stay here without Frederick and Eleanor. This is a gift.” She gasped.

“She is dying!” I screamed to Caleb who now stared at Sandra in horror. “Help her!”

Sandra’s eyes fluttered. “I love you,” Sandra’s pale lips trembled. “Goodbye, Lia.”

“Sandra!” A scream ripped through my throat. “Sandra!”

My trembling hands felt her pulse. A weak heartbeat reached my fingers. “Help her!” I screamed at Caleb, yet my eyes did not leave my sister. “Help her! Her heart is still beating, help her!”

“Cordelia,” his voice was barely a whisper.

“Just help her, please.” A choked sob left my lips. “I will do whatever you want. Anything.”

“Cordelia, I can't,” Caleb shook his head so slightly. His eyes slowly closed.

“Help her, you bastard!” I shouted. “Do it!”

“She is human. There is nothing I can do.”

“Then turn her!” I hit his chest. “Tell me how to turn her!”

“It won’t work, her body is too weak,” he shook his head. “She won't survive it,” Caleb whispered, looking me straight in the eyes. “I am sorry.”

Sorry? No! No, no, no!I brought Sandra’s wrist to my lips. It’s just a bite, just a bite.

A bite should be presented as a gift: nothing should be taken in return.

My teeth pierced her flesh, careful not to let a drop of blood spill into my mouth.

I put my ear to her chest.

There was no movement, no sign of life.

I heard my heart beating in my ears, I heard the sound of water dripping down on the stone. Yet the sound I longed for most did not make an appearance. Silence.

“I love you, Sandra,” I whispered as my tears fell onto her smooth skin. “I love you.”

I’d killed my little sister. My sister who had always been by my side. The only person I’d truly loved in this life.

“I am sorry,” Caleb’s hand touched my shoulder as he whispered.

“How dare you!” I shoved his hand away. “How dare you say that to me!” I hit his chest. “Burn in hell! I hope you burn in hell!”

Caleb staggered backward as I kept hitting his chest.

“I wish you burn in hell.” I met his eyes. “I wish you burn in hell for eternity.”

I dropped to my knees as a scream tore my throat; my lungs burned.