Delta [Epsilon #2]

Chapter Thirty-Two

He thrust the blade forward, but the strike never landed. Instead, hot crimson filled my eyes and mouth as gold flashed at the man's throat. Through red-tainted vision, I watched as blood gushed onto my legs, my arms, into my lap. The man's face gaped in shock, and I stared back at him.

"Azure!" A familiar voice rang. I looked around, but everything was red. Red walls. Red floor. Red body. The man careened to the side, and seconds later, a pair of familiar emerald eyes took his place.

"Azure!"

"Raina?" My eyes travelled to the golden dagger in her hand. Goldtooth -- the one I'd given her. Blood coated its edge. A lot of blood. How hard had Raina fought to get here?

"Azure, you're hurt!"

I didn't respond. I couldn't respond, not as black danced in my vision. A groan escaped my chest as the pain set in again, my blood burning in my veins. Cold sweat broke out on my skin, and as two delicate hands hauled my upright, the world was set spinning again. My head lolled as a loud thud sounded behind me, and I was dragged into a dim room smelling of dust and mould. The door shut, and I was plunged into darkness.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god," Raina's voice murmured. I looked around, searching for her, but through my fuzzy vision I saw nothing. Suddenly, her emerald eyes swam before mine, wide and afraid. "Azure, I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me. Please."

I huffed a weak laugh. "I'll try."

Her eyes broke away from mine. "That wound... the bleeding won't stop." Her face paled. "What was on that knife?"

"Wolfsbane." My voice was hoarse, as though I hadn't used it in years.

Something like a sob sounded. Before I could do anything, however, a deep pressure pushed down on my shoulder. I hissed my pain but kept still.

"This might hurt," came her choked voice. I chuckled.

"It can't hurt any more than your words, Rain. No amount wolfsbane will ever compare to the effect your words have on me."

I'd meant it as a joke, but the solemn silence told me it hadn't been recieved as such. I remained silent as sounds of material ripping filled the room, and I was forced forward. Raina went to work on bandaging the wound, though I knew it would do little against the blood loss. I turned my head to stare at the work, my vision adjusting to the lack of light. Dexterous hands, golden hair, white bandage... all of it blurred together.

"I didn't mean any of those things I said, Azure. I don't even know why I said them. I--"

"Yes, you did, but that's okay." My face fell, my body throbbing with something that had nothing to do with the Wolfsbane. "I deserved it, after everything I did to you and Kyra. I don't know how I'll ever make it up to you."

Raina stilled, shaking her head. "No, Azure, you've more than made up for it. I said it because... because..."

A loud bang on the door had us both reeling. Raina stood, and I was surprised to find myself grasping for her hand.

"Wait," I breathed. "Don't go. Please. I don't want to die alone."

"Don't say that." Raina's hand began to tremble. "Don't say you'll die. You won't die. You have to live."

I let go of Raina's hand, tipping my head back against the wall. "You've always been so hopeful, Raina. Please, never lose that hope, regardless of what today's outcome will be."

She kneeled before me, grabbing my face. My eyes shot open. "Az, stop. Stop saying that. I don't know what I'll do without you. I can't imagine. I can't even--"