VALERIE
The sky bled colorless.
No sun. No moon. Only a gray ache stretched above the castle — like the world itself was holding its breath. I stood on the eastern tower, one hand clutching the cold stone wall, the other resting on my stomach.
A weak flutter answered. Then nothing.
Not a kick. Not even a shift. Just stillness. I squeezed my eyes shut and focused, trying to reach for the pulse of life within me. But all I felt was… static. Like a candle flickering in a storm. Fading.
Behind me, footsteps approached. I didn’t turn. “You haven’t slept,” Dorian said gently. “I can’t,” I whispered. “Something’s wrong.”
He stepped closer. “We’ve reinforced the wards. Nothing can get in—” “It’s not from outside,” I interrupted. “It’s from me.”
He was quiet.
My voice broke. “I think I’m lo
