Tobi's POV
The moment I hit the garden steps, I saw the pale shape of Mariah standing ankle-deep in the glowing water, holding Lila’s limp body in her arms like a broken doll. I didn’t pause—I launched into the fountain, splashing through the water to relieve her of my mate.
“Give her to me!” I choked.
Mariah didn’t hesitate. She thrust Lila into my arms, her own soaked and trembling. The second I touched her, I knew something was wrong.
She wasn’t breathing.
“Lila?” My voice cracked as I dropped to my knees in the shallow fountain, cradling her body like she might break if I held her too tightly—like she hadn’t already shattered.
Her face was too pale. Her lips were a haunting shade of blue. Her head lolled to the side, and her skin—gods, her skin was cold.
No. No, no, no—
“LILA!”
