The dark soil was cold beneath Dareth's knees. The forest was silent around them, as if the entire realm was holding its breath.
Elara's arms hung limply, her face had taken on a waxen pallor, and her eyes opened only in narrow slits now and then. Dareth held her as if her body could still be warm-as if, racing against time, he could hold her soul back from escaping.
"Selene, start!" the Vampire King hissed, holding her wounds. "Heal her. Now!"
Selene was already kneeling beside him, pale blue light streaming from her palms, runes glowing at her fingertips, but the spell seemed to bounce off Elara's body. She closed her eyes, focusing, trying to reach deeper-but her face grew paler.
"The metal went in too deep," she whispered. "It pierced the liver. Multiple veins are torn. Your bond c
