Jax waited patiently as Natalie carefully examined the last page of the book, the one that supposedly held the key to saving Iris. The weight of their situation hung heavy in the air, each passing second intensifying the pressure. Natalie's fingers traced over the worn edges of the page, her mind torn between two worlds: one where she could escape to the familiar safety of the mainland, and another where she stayed, bound by loyalty to these strange new friends who, in such a short time, had come to mean more to her than her own family. Her heart clenched with indecision, but before she could dwell on it any longer, a bloodcurdling scream shattered the silence.
"Iris!" Natalie cried, her voice trembling with alarm. She abandoned the book and bolted toward the sound, her heart pounding in her chest. Jax was right behind her, his face pale, his usually steady gaze filled with dread.
They burst into the room where Iris lay, and what they saw made Natalie's blood run cold. Iris, who had been holding on with fierce determination, was now convulsing violently on the floor. Her once vibrant green eyes were no longer her own—they flickered between an unholy red and a pitch-black void, each flash more terrifying than the last. Her skin had turned an unnatural, icy blue, veins of dark energy writhing beneath the surface, as though something vile was trying to break free from within her. Every labored breath she took seemed to bring her closer to the brink of death.
"Oh my God," Natalie gasped, instinctively stepping back as the dark energy in the room thickened. Her entire body went rigid with shock.
Cal was already at Iris's side, his powerful arms cradling her trembling body. His usually stoic face was twisted in anguish as he tried to soothe her, whispering her name in a desperate, broken tone. His hand gently rubbed her wolf ears, the soft fur damp with sweat, as if trying to remind her of who she was, of the person she had fought so hard to remain despite the darkness creeping inside her.
"Iris, you're stronger than this. Please..." His voice broke as he spoke, his words barely above a whisper. His free hand gripped hers tightly, refusing to let go even as her body continued to shudder uncontrollably. Cal, the brave warrior who had faced down countless enemies, was now on the verge of breaking down completely.
Across from him, Lily knelt, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Iris's other hand. Her usually bright, hopeful demeanor was crumbling under the weight of what was happening. She stroked Iris's hand gently, her fingers trembling. "Come on, Iris," she pleaded through her tears. "You've fought so much worse than this—you can do it. Just hold on. Please..."
But Iris's breathing was slowing, each exhale coming shorter and weaker than the last. The blue hue of her skin deepened, the veins of darkness pulsing slower but more insidiously, creeping ever closer to her heart. It was like watching the very life force drain out of her, second by agonizing second.
Cal's fingers shook as he continued to stroke her ears, his mind racing with desperation. He couldn't lose her. Not after everything they'd been through together. Not after he had finally admitted to himself how much she meant to him. Iris was more than just a friend or an ally. She was a kindred spirit, a reflection of his own struggles, someone who had fought the same battles against the beast within. He couldn't—wouldn't—let her slip away.
But then Iris's trembling hand reached up, feebly trying to pet his ears in return. It was a gesture they often shared, a small connection that brought them peace amid the chaos of their lives. Her fingers barely grazed his ear before her arm dropped limply to her side, her strength failing her. Her breathing, now so shallow it was almost nonexistent, stopped altogether.
For a moment, the room was utterly still. Cal froze, his hand still on her head, his mind refusing to accept what had just happened.
"No... no, no, no..." Lily whimpered, shaking her head in disbelief. She clutched Iris's hand tighter, as though holding her hard enough would somehow keep her soul tethered to her body. But Iris's chest no longer rose or fell. The light in her eyes, once so fierce and defiant, had dimmed completely.
