Lyra's POV
The words crashed into me like a physical blow.
Victor's body convulsed again. This time with violent force that made the makeshift bed shake beneath him.
His eyes flew open without warning.
They held no recognition. No awareness. Just raw, primal terror that seemed to look through me rather than at me.
Blood began streaming from his nostrils in dark rivulets.
Then from his mouth.
It painted crimson trails down his jaw and soaked into the pillow that cradled his head.
"No," I whispered. "This isn't happening. Not now."
Celeste lunged forward with a piece of cloth, desperately trying to stem the flow, but the blood kept coming faster than she could manage.
Victor's breathing became labored and wet. Each breath sounded like he was drowning on dry land.
I stood there paralyzed. Watching death claim him piece by piece after everything we had sacrificed to bring him this far.
That was when I heard it.
The hum.
