The thrashing of the creature’s head only drove its jagged teeth deeper, tearing at her flesh and sending her world into a violent spin. The next thing she knew, she was airborne, then she struck a tree with brutal force before slumping pathetically to the ground.

Devika could not move. She could hardly breathe as blood began to flood her lungs. She could no longer feel her body, but she had no doubt her sacred life’s blood was soaking into the earth beneath her. Her vision dimmed rapidly until there was nothing left but darkness, her chest convulsing as she began to choke on the crimson filling her throat.

Her ears twitched faintly at the distant exchange between the beast and Duskbreaker. She hoped, desperately, that he would run. That he would save himself. She was only a ghost inhabiting a world that had rejected her so completely. He did not need to share her fate.

As the last of her hearing began to fade, she caught his voice again, this time much closer. She could not understand the words, but she understood the intent.

The final thought she had before slipping into the dark embrace of death was a single word.

No.

---