As if hearing our discussion, Stephanie slowly walked out of the house, tears streaming down her face. "Is she dead?"
"No," I growled. "She's going to be fine."
"I'm so s-sorry," Stephanie sobbed. "It's my fault. I just wanted… I don't know why, I can't explain why. I just… something has always been missing."
Cassius swore while Alex held up his hands and walked off in the other direction. "I'm taking the car. Let me know what you decide. I can't watch this."
Stephanie wiped her cheeks. "I'll help you take her to the room. Maybe if she's in some place familiar, she'll wake up."
I grunted and pushed past Stephanie. "Maybe."
"Ethan…" Stephanie croaked. "You have to believe me. I'm so sorry."
"I know," I whispered hoarsely. "I know." With a curse, I turned to Cassius. "Tell her, or I will."
Stephanie sniffed. "Tell me what?"
Cassius seemed to pale in that instant, all at once, as he swayed on his feet, gripping the door with both hands. "Stephanie…"
"What?" She looked between us. "Cassius, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so weak?"
"He saved Genesis," I answered.
Realization dawned on Stephanie's face as she stumbled back from both of us. "When she wakes up… she'll belong to him."
I didn't say anything because I didn't know what would happen, and neither did Cassius.
"Possibly," Cassius finally said.
Stephanie choked out a sob and ran past both of us and up the stairs.
"Cassius," I growled. "Tell her."
"Yeah." He licked his lips. "Just let me catch my breath first."
"It won't get easier with time."
"I know." He hung his head. "Let me just… give me just…" He shook his head. "Something's wrong."
"Cassius?"
"Very wrong." His eyes narrowed until they were fully white then black, tiny pinpricks. "I think I'm dying."
The last sentence he uttered before falling to the ground.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Genesis
SARIEL WAS STANDING WITH ME, HOLDING my hand. It felt good. He wasn't so cold anymore, mostly warm like me.
"His blood calls to you," Sariel whispered.
"Who?" I felt happy, complete, yet a part of me missed something, like I was staring at a really pretty picture, but it was missing something epic, something that would change my world.
"Cassius and Ethan, both of their blood fights for you right now. I'm afraid you must yet again make a choice."
I sighed, my heart remembering Ethan, my mate, my love. "He's so warm. Why is Cassius cold?"