"You're not doing this, Ari!" Kaelen's voice roared through the cabin, raw and desperate, as he grabbed her arm. His grip was shaky but firm, his chest heaving from the effort. Blood still stained his shirt, though the wound beneath had started to close, thanks to whatever she'd done in the woods.
Ariana yanked her arm free, her eyes blazing. "I already did, Kaelen! It's happening—look at you, you're healing. So stop fighting me on this!"
He staggered forward, his face pale and slick with sweat. "You're shaking—you can barely stand! What the hell did you give up out there?"
She turned away, pressing her bloody hand against her forehead. The room spun, but she forced herself to stay upright. "Doesn't matter. You're alive. That's what I care about."
Mira stepped between them, her voice sharp. "It does matter, girl. You're fading—I can see it. You're pouring your life into him, and it's gonna kill you if you don't stop."
