Layla came rushing toward us in panic, Gifford strolling behind with both hands in his pockets.
“What the hell just happened?” he hissed.
I healed quickly and got up from the floor. My stepmother was already storming up the stairs in rage. Bane, Grimm, and I followed her, trying to stop her from doing anything rash—only to freeze when we saw Braila collapsed on the floor, lying on her chest.
Blood trickled from her lips. Her hand stretched weakly forward as she gasped for air. Her eyes were wide, like someone mid-panic attack.
“Braila! Braila!” My stepmother dropped to her knees, scooping Braila into her arms. “Talk to me! What happened? What’s wrong with you?!”
Braila opened her mouth, breathless and dazed. Her skin had gone pale. Her eyes fluttered shut, then opened again slowly.
“
