"Elise!"
She hit the ground before I reached her.
I shifted back as I ran, hit my knees beside her, and pulled her into my arms.
"Elise. Hey. Look at me."
Nothing. Her eyes were open, but they were black, not dark, not her pupils blown wide, but they were completely black.
My stomach dropped. "No. No, no, no. Elise."
I put my hand against her neck and checked for her pulse. They were fast, but they were there.
I bent close enough to feel her breath against my face. She was breathing.
"Come on. Wake up."
Around us, the field had gone quiet.
I barely noticed at first, but when I looked up, Graymoor fighters stood scattered across the field, staring at Elise.
The smoke was gone too. All of it.
Then Callum came running. "Rhys…"
"It went into her, Callum."
He dropped beside me and looked at her eyes. "We all saw it."
"Don't fucking stare. Get Sorin. Petra. The doctor. Everyone."
He grabbed his radio.
"Medical team to the pack house now. Sorin, Petra, report inside."
