Page 222 of Beast and Remedy
Marcel and Leo bristle, their eyes lining with pain and shock.
“Marian, stop, this isn’t you,” Leo says, his voice wavering as he reaches for her.
Marian rears back with a grimace. “It is. And you were too stupid, too blind to see it.”
“Step away from your sister or this arrow will be your demise,” Jerrick orders, forcing her to stop.
My own breath hollows, conversations muddling, and I peer up at the night sky. The smell of my own blood dances along my nostrils, mixing with the cedar of the trees, the moss near the dirt, and forces my mind to wander.
If only I could’ve stopped her before she injured me. If only I could’ve seen the signs or better understood the warning from Sybille and Stefan.
I miss the esprits. I miss Mama. I miss Papa. I miss Beau.
I miss the sister I used to know.
Darkness seeks me out, wanting to drag me under.
But what about Marian? What about my home?
I try to speak—try to tell them not to hurt her so that Papa can know the truth.
But I choke on my blood.
“Fight it, Vi,”a voice whispers, familiar.“You need to live. You cannot die without saving your people! Saving all the creatures of the forest! You cannot leave your father! You can’t! You… can’t…”
I sigh, heat spreading across my weakening limbs from the faint presence of the esprit. Maybe my imagination is conjuring it. Keeping me company as my time dwindles.
“Rosebud,” an exhausted, broken voice says, one I instantly recognize.
“B,” I wheeze.
His magic caresses my cheeks, light diminishing the darkness.
But the pain, the exhaustion, buckles me down.
“Stay with me. Stay with me.Please,” Beau begs, his voice trembling as he tries to cover my bleeding naked body with his own.
“There’s so much blood,” Leo breathes.
“You need to cover her up and treat as many wounds as possible.” Jerrick’s voice calls.
“Everyone keep your eyes to your fucking self,” Beau demands through panted breaths before he pulls away, attempting to assess my injuries.
I’d thank him for trying to accommodate me and respect my privacy, but I’m too tired. Too unbothered to care if anyone sees me in this state.
“Marcel, give me your shirt so I can cover her up. Leo, tear off some of your tunic and make me a few bandages. I can wrap her stomach and her arm. Then I’ll need help adding pressure here and here,” Beau commands, his voice frantic and shaky as more heat touches my body, the love of my life trying to save me.
I’m lightly jostled, my exposed flesh covered as something tightens around my limbs and torso. The tightness feels like a compression—a balm—as a glow emanates from Beau and ebbs the smallest amounts of pain away.
Leo’s words are laced with uncertainty. “Are you sure you are alright to do—”
“I’M NOT LOSING HER!” Beau’s declaration echoes through the woods, and I feel lighter with each swirl of healing he directs toward me.
I blink once, twice, the trees above filling my vision. A lush and lavish green surrounds three recognizable figures, and I smile weakly.
But my sister’s laughs fill the void, and Beau commands, “Don’t kill her. Don’t harm her. Bernard is on the way.”
“What?” Marian asks, voicing my own internal question.
