The more that alien blood pumped into his chest, the faster his strength and energy drained. Helplessly, he slumped against the tree trunk.

A face flashed before his closed lids.

It was his face—only younger, softer—smiling at someone with unrestrained warmth.

No. It wasn’t Evan. That smile held no dimple.

The person he was smiling at stood at a distance, hands folded behind his back, dark robes fluttering around him, long raven hair swaying. At the sound of the youth’s chuckle, he turned.

Dark brows, impassive face.

Scarlet eyes.

Xen.

Voices faded. The world blurred around Evan until nothing remained. Empty.

But just before darkness swallowed everything, Evan heard a voice—a desperate call eerily like Xen’s. Yet it wasn’t Evan’s name he was shouting.

“—den.”

“—arden.”

“Carden!”