Page 287 of Emylia

“I don’t care!”

The scream ripped from me—ugly, raw. “You don’t get to die here! You don’t get to leave me, do you understand? Ineedyou!”

Maalikai reached for me. I slapped his hand away.

“I can do this!”

My magik surged. Too fast. Too wild. I felt it drain me, tear into my ribs like claws, but I didn’t stop. I poured every last drop of strength I had into my uncle’s torn body.

And then it flickered.

The blue light dimmed. The wound split open again.

I pressed harder. Shaking. Sobbing.

“I can fix this!”

“Emylia.” Thrainn’s voice was a shadow. “If you draw more, it’ll takeyouwith it.”

“Let it!” I screamed.

His hand rose—weak, shaking—but still somehow stronger than mine. He cupped the side of my face.

My breath hitched, my soul crumbling. “Don’t make me… watch you die too.”

“I can’t promise that.” The sound that came out was laughter, but broken beyond recognition.

He was fading. I could feel it. His soul unraveling under my hands.

“No,” I begged, rocking forward. “Please. You can't leave me.”

His eyes fluttered.

He looked at me—really looked at me.

“Find Sebastian. Stay with him.”

“What—?”

“You’re his... You’re everything…”

He couldn’t finish.

His lips parted. His eyes widened.

And the light disappeared from them.

It didn’t dim.

Itvanished.

Just like that.

One second he was there. And then—gone.

Gone.

I didn’t scream.

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