*****Moments before Nathan awakened.
Time had stopped, like the world itself held its breath and everything around him.
He was on the ground, holding Elshienne tightly in his arms, his knees shaking against the cold floor, his heart screaming quietly as he looked down at her pale face, her lips barely parted, her fingers no longer moving, and her body growing colder and heavier with every second.
Her blood soaked through his clothes and her warmth was fading fast, and Nathan didn't know how to stop the fear crawling up his spine, how to breathe, or how to stop the rage that was growing deep in his chest like a beast waiting to break free.
He clenched his jaw, pressing her closer, trying to protect her even though he was too late, even though it hurt so much he thought he would break.
Then a voice spoke, cutting through the stillness like a blade through glass, deep and powerful and not from this world.
"Nathan."
Nathan didn't look up.
