Elysia's hand shivered as she tried to lift Kael's face toward her.
His blood had dried across his cheek, stretching into brittle flakes as his eyes fluttered halfway open.
"Kael… focus on me," she whispered.
He tried.
But he failed.
His head dipped again, breath rattling with exhaustion.
Elysia clenched her teeth. "Stay awake. Just a little longer."
But she didn't get the chance.
Because a slow, deliberate set of footsteps echoed behind them.
Footsteps Elysia recognized.
"Aww," Ethan's voice drawled mockingly, "how touching."
Elysia froze.
Kael blinked sluggishly, trying to lift his head.
Ethan stepped out from between two collapsed stalls, brushing dust off his sleeves, expression twisted into a sharp.
His third-years spread out behind him—five silhouettes in total.
Elysia rose immediately.
"Ethan," she said.
"I told you to leave."
"I did." Ethan smirked wider. "But then I changed my mind."
