"Wait and pray."
The words echoed hollowly in my ears and tasted like ash in my mouth.
Where had that ever gotten me? I had fought so hard and endured so much, only to find myself trapped once more, this time by my own failing body. I knew what Elinore didn't—that the spreading decay was likely linked to the rift Haven had absorbed. That realm was deeply intertwined with my soul, and such a drastic change would inevitably weaken my resistance. It wouldn't have been a major issue under normal circumstances, but the damage I'd sustained during the battle with the Circle had set a dangerous chain of events in motion.
A wave of despair washed over me, threatening to drown me in its icy depths. But then I remembered the vision, the haunting image of Elise's twisted smile and vacant eyes, her perverse joy that I, too, was begging to be raped. I couldn't give up, not now. Not when she needed me more than ever.
