But I could also hear.
"We are losing her!" Helena's voice, ragged with desperation.
"Blood pressure dropping. Baby's heart rate is declining. I can't—Kael, I can't save them both!"
"Then save Sophia." Kael's voice.
"Let me say goodbye to her conscious. Just once. Please."
"Kael—"
"That's an order!" Alpha Command.
The first time I'd ever heard him use it was on Helena.
"Wake her up. Let me talk to her. Then you can let her go."
"Five minutes. That's all I can give you."
Magic surged through me. Not healing. Just... stimulation.
Forcing my dying body to consciousness one last time.
My eyes cracked open.
Kael's face swam into focus above me.
He looked destroyed.
Eyes red.
Face streaked with tears.
Holding me.
"Hey," I whispered.
His breath caught.
"Hey, yourself."
