Page 83 of Blood Bound

The warmth of the rising sun touches my face, growing stronger with each passing moment. It should be comforting, but all I can think about is what it means for Darick. A sob escapes me, raw and broken.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, familiar arms, nearly causing me to collapse with relief.

“Rowan!” It’s Dad’s voice, thick with worry. “Oh God, what happened to you?”

I look up to see my father’s face, lined with concern. Beyond him, I spot Gran, Mom, and Kara, along with other witches I recognize from the coven.

They’ve come for us.

Not us. For me.

“Sarah,” I manage to choke out. “Help her.”

Two witches I don’t know well rush forward, gently taking Sarah from me. As her weight leaves my side, my legs finally give out. Dad tightens his grasp, supporting me as I sway.

Mom rushes to my side. “It’s okay,” she soothes, stroking my hair. “We’ve got you now.”

I cling to her, sobs wracking my body. “Darick,” I gasp between breaths. “He’s still in there. The sun—”

Gran steps up closer, her face grim. “We know, dear. We’ll do what we can.”

I want to explain, to make them understand that despite everything, Darick doesn’t deserve to die like this.

I struggle against Dad’s grip, my body shaking with a mixture of exhaustion and desperation. “No, you don’t understand!” I scream, my voice hoarse and raw. “We have to help him…now!”

Mom tries to soothe me, her hands gentle on my face, but I can’t focus on her words.

“Please,” I beg, looking from face to face, searching for someone who will listen. “He saved us. We can’t just leave him!”

Mom and Dad exchange a glance that speaks more than any words could. Gran lays a hand on my arm, her eyes filled with an emotion that tears at my soul.

“Oh, Ro…” Kara’s voice is gentle. Warm light touches her face, highlighting the rose-gold streaks in her hair. It’s a light that I hate because I know what it means.

“Please!” I interrupt, a fresh wave of tears spilling down my cheeks. “We have to try!”

I watch as a group of witches move toward the building, their faces set with determination. But they’re not moving fast enough.

Don’t they understand? Every second counts!

Breaking free from Dad’s grasp, I stumble forward, my legs weak and unsteady. “Darick!” I scream, my voice cracking with the force of it.

I turn back toward the building, my eyes straining against the brightening day. The world seems to slow, each second stretching into eternity as I watch, helpless and horrified.

Suddenly, a blinding explosion of light erupts from the windows, so intense it sears my vision. I throw up an arm to shield my eyes, but it’s too late. The image is burned into my retinas, a cruel reminder of what’s happening inside.

My heart stops. The sun has flooded the room where Darick was fighting.

As the spots clear from my vision, the full weight of what I’ve just witnessed crashes down on me. That wasn’t just sunlight. It was too bright, too violent. It was Darick, consumed by the dawn.

My knees buckle, and I crumple to the ground. The pendant he gave me digs into my palm, its heat fading as quickly as my hope. This time, there’s no coming back. No regeneration from ashes.

This time, his death is final.

A wail builds in my chest, raw and primal. It tears from my throat, echoing across the morning air. The sound barely seems human, filled with all the anguish and grief I can’t contain.

“No!” I scream, my voice breaking. “Darick!”

The sun continues to rise, painting the sky in beautiful shades of pink and gold. But all I can see is darkness. All I can feel is the gaping void where Darick used to be.

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