Ashen caught Lumina before she hit the floor. His arms wrapped around her trembling body, his hands shaking violently, tears almost fell from his eyes.
"Lumina! No, no… stay with me," he whispered, his voice cracking. Her body was cold, her eyes half-open but losing light fast.
"Why did you jump in!" he hollered in fear.
Seraphina stood frozen a few feet away, her face pale beneath her veil. Her breath caught in her throat, disbelief written across her trembling lips.
"No… no, no…" she muttered, her voice shattering. She hadn't meant for this to happen.
She hadn't meant to hurt her niece. She had only wanted to force Ashen back, to make them scared not to destroy her.
"Lumina!" she cried out as she stumbled forward, pushing Ashen aside.
She gathered the fallen girl into her arms, her own hands glowing faintly with violet light. "Please, not you… I never wanted this!"
