<h4>Chapter 321: Chapter 321</h4>


    ~Samantha~


    "You won’t. But feel free to try. It will make the victory sweeter." He was almost gone now. Just a voice in the air. "Better make them count."


    Then he was gone. Completely. Just wisps of shadow that faded in the morning light.


    I stood there breathing hard. The silver light connecting me to Dominic started to fade.


    Dominic tried to sit up. Failed. "Sam, is he gone?"


    "He’s gone."


    "Your blood did that?"


    "Our blood. Together." I touched his face. "You almost died."


    "I know. I was there." He caught my hand. Held it against his cheek. "Thank you. For not giving up on me."


    "I’ll never give up on you. You’re stuck with me." I tried to smile.


    He pulled me down. Kissed me. Quick but real. "I love you. In case that wasn’t clear."


    "It was clear." I kissed him back. "I love you too."


    A throat cleared behind us. "Sorry to interrupt this bestselling romance movie. But we need to get out of here this minute." Killian stood there with the twins. Both of them looked shaken but unhurt. "More shadow constructs could show up any second."


    He was right. We needed to go.


    I helped Dominic stand. He leaned on me heavy. His strength was returning but slowly.


    "Can you walk?" I asked.


    "I can make it to the vehicles. After that, I’m passing out for a week."


    "Deal."


    We made it back to where the vehicles waited. Reynold had them organized. Everyone loaded. Ready to move.


    L sat in the back of one vehicle. Her sister’s body beside her. Her face was nk. Empty.


    "L." I approached carefully. "I’m sorry but I believe we can still save her especially since she’s still breathing."


    "Don’t." Her voice came out harsh. "Don’t apologize. Don’tfort. Just leave me alone. I don’t know what he did to her so how can we save her? Who knows if she will make it before we get back?"


    "We can call a healer."


    "I said leave me alone!" She looked at me finally. Her eyes were hollow. "You were right. Dominic was right. I was chasing a ghost. She’s been dead for years. ck Moon just kept the body preserved to use as bait. I fell for it. And now you almost died because of me."


    "No, none of this is your fault."


    "It is. It’s exactly what happened. I led you into a trap. ck Moon got what he wanted. And my sister is still a walking dead." She turned away. "Just go. Please."


    I wanted to console her but I knew my words would make no sense at the moment.


    So I just nodded. Stepped back. Got into the vehicle with Dominic and the twins.


    The drive back to the manor was quiet. Devon and Diana pressed against me on either side.


    Dominic sat across from us. His eyes kept closing. Jerking open. Fighting unconsciousness.


    "Sleep." I told him. "I’ll wake you when we get there."


    "Can’t sleep. Need to stay alert."


    "The fight’s over. You can rest."


    "The fight’s never over." But his eyes closed anyway. His breathing evened out. He was asleep in seconds.


    I sat there with my children on either side and my mate across from me and tried to understand what ck Moon had said.


    The manor appeared ahead. Guards were waiting. Medical team ready.


    They took Dominic first. Carried him inside despite his protests that he could walk.


    Then they came for Killian. He’d copsed again. The curse spreading faster now. Reaching toward his heart.


    L carried her sister’s body herself. Wouldn’t let anyone else touch it. Walked into the manor alone.


    I followed at a distance. Didn’t want to crowd her but also didn’t want to leave her alone with this.


    One of the older healers was already in there. Calm guy named Elias. Long gray hair tied back. Always had this quiet steady energy like nothing could rattle him.


    He took one look at Maya on the table and his face got serious.


    L stood right next to her sister. Hands shaking. “Fix her. Please. Just tell me what ck Moon did and fix her.”


    Elias leaned in close. Checked Maya’s breathing. Checked her pulse. Lifted her eyelids one at a time. Then he froze for a second.


    “What?” L’s voice cracked. “What did you see?”


    Elias pulled back slow. “He used shadow suffocation on her. Covered her nose and mouth with his hands. Pushed pure void magic straight into her lungs. Not just cutting off air. The darkness went deeper. It poisoned her blood. Made her brain starve for oxygen while the shadows ate at her from the inside. That’s why she’s like this. Trapped between life and death. Body breathing but mind locked away.”


    L’s knees almost gave out. She grabbed the edge of the table. “So... is she gonna make it? Or is this it?”


    Elias didn’t sugarcoat it. “The void magic is nasty. Really nasty. But she’s still holding on. Heart’s weak but beating. Lungs are fighting. I’ll try everything I have to pull the shadows out and wake her brain up. Give me space though. This is gonna be tough and it might take a while.”


    L stepped back but stayed close. Eyes locked on Maya’s face. “She’s gotta live. She has to.”


    Elias started working. Hands glowing soft blue as he pushed healing energy into Maya’s chest. Then her head. Kept switching back and forth. Sweat started showing on his forehead pretty quick.


    Everything was quiet except for the sound of his magic working and Maya’s shallow breaths.


    Then it happened.


    Maya’s body jerked hard. Arms and legs started shaking in convulsions. Head snapping side to side. Foam at the corners of her mouth.


    L screamed. “No! Maya! Stop!”


    Elias didn’t panic. Just pressed both hands harder on Maya’s temples. “Hold on. This is her body trying to purge thest of the void. It’s rough but it’s a good sign. Means the shadows are losing their grip.”


    L was crying now. Full ugly sobs. “Don’t let her die. Please don’t let her die.”


    I moved closer without thinking. Put my arm around L’s shoulders. She didn’t push me away this time. Just leaned into me like she had nothing left.


    Elias kept going. Talking low to himself. “Come on girl. Push it out. Fight back.”


    The convulsing went on forever. Felt like hours even though it was probably only a couple minutes. Maya’s back arched so hard I thought something would break. Then slowly. So slowly. The shaking started to ease up. First her legs stopped. Then her arms. Then just little twitches in her fingers.


    Elias let out a long breath. Pulled his hands back. “Okay. That’s it. The void is gone. Her brain activity ising back steady. She’sing out of it.”


    L stared. “She’s... she’s gonna be okay?”


    “I’m not promising perfect. There might be some fog in her head for a while. Memory stuff. But yeah. She’s alive. She’s fighting. And right now that’s what counts.”


    L let out this broken littleugh through the tears. Then she turned and threw her arms around me. Hugged me so tight I could barely breathe.


    “Thank you. For not leaving. For everything.” Her voice was muffled against my shoulder. “I thought I lost her for real this time.”


    I hugged her back just as hard. “We got her back. She’s here.”


    L pulled away after a second. Wiped her face with her sleeve. Looked at Maya again. This time there was actual hope in her eyes.


    Elias smiled small. “She needs rest. Lots of it. But you can stay with her. Talk to her. She might hear you.”


    L nodded fast. Moved to sit right next to the bed. Took Maya’s hand in both of hers.


    I stepped out into the hallway to give them space. Leaned against the wall and just breathed for a minute.


    One sister saved. One mate still recovering. A blood mooning.