My heart thundered.
Her scent wrapped around me as we walked, rousing the beast inside me. It wanted her blood, wanted me to drink to save us both.
This was my last chance. If I took her blood now, I would survive this. She would not, but her blood would not only break the curse, it would undo the damage of the sorcerer’s magic. It would make me whole again.
I forced the beast back, unwilling to even consider it.
“We’re almost there,” she said. “The library is right up here, and we’ll be home in no time. We’ll fix you right up with more healing potions.”
The sea could be made of healing potions, and it wouldn’t be enough. I said nothing.
We staggered toward the library, finding it locked at this late hour. Carrow leaned back and kicked open the door, hitting it so hard that the wood around the lock splintered and it swung open.
“I guess fear gives extra strength,” she said as she helped pull me inside.
The cavernous library was dark save for a few fairy lights floating near the ceiling. Our footsteps echoed as we staggered toward the back of the library. My strength was waning, and I could feel myself putting more weight on Carrow.
She plowed onward, dragging me behind her.
“We’ve got this,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re going to be okay.”
“Of course.” The words almost took the last of my breath.
Finally, we reached the very back of the library. The empty aisle called to me, the glowing light a beacon of hope. Not that I’d survive this, but that we’d at least make it back to our time for Carrow.
She pulled the small book out of her pocket, and we entered the aisle. The magic pulsed around us, bright and warm. My heartbeat began to slow as we entered deeper into the aisle, my vision starting to go dark at the edges.
Not yet.
I wanted one last look at her face.
I fought the pull of the afterlife, grateful when I felt the ether tugging on me. It caught us both and spun us through time. I gripped Carrow hard, determined not to lose her here.
A moment later, solid ground appeared beneath my feet. I staggered, the ground calling to me. Carrow tried to keep me up, her grip strong. We managed to get out of the stacks and into the cavernous space of the main library, but I was too heavy. I staggered to my knees, going down hard.
“Grey!” She followed me down, trying to slow my fall.
I hit the floor anyway, the tile cold beneath my feverish skin.
“Grey, you must drink from me.” Her voice broke as she held her wrist to my mouth. “You need strength. The blow was too much.”
I turned my mouth away, nearly insensible as the afterworld called to me. The beast within me roared, trying to force me to follow her commands. There was still time. Time to save us both. The beast and me.
Not Carrow.
I would never.
I looked up at her, wanting her face to be the last thing I saw. My voice rasped as I said, “I love you.”
Why hadn’t I said the words before? Why hadn’t I shown her more?
What wasted time.
“Please, Grey. Don’t go.” Tears sounded in her voice. Rolled down her face. “I love you. I love you.”
The words cloaked me in warmth as the darkness crept in. Nearly blind, I stole one last look at her. She was the sun, glowing golden above me, a promise of all that could have been and all that I didn’t deserve.
We’d almost done it.