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I tried to move Tried to call out I was so tired So cold A silhouette dashed from the cloud of debris and raced to ale ar the material to peel back from the face and vanish Raven hair spilled out Violet eyes filled with tears at the sight of me Elyssa dropped to her knees and pillowedhot liquid for at the corners of ainst e tears dripped from the tip of her nose, and splashed on od, I’m sorry I wasn’t there in time" She held my hand to her face, and I saw my risly de as, "Justin fought a tragon, but the tragon won, and clawed his guts out like spaghetti" Then again, turning into a blood-sucking zolamorous

"I will always love you," I said

She pressed her lips tome with kisses "I will always love you, Justin"

I decided I didn’t want to be reon killedto let you die," she said, but the hope was gone froes of the world Shadowy shapes flickered in ed skulls strained at the fabric of darkness, trying to tear away

Drink Devour Kill

The voices urged me to kill with violent whispers But I knew that would never happen

"When the ti a tear trickle down the side of my face "I want it to be you Please"

She squeezed her eyes shut Nodded Her arms squeezed me as sobs shook her body My ar her one last ti the irlish voice

Elyssa looked up, her red-rimmed eyes wide "No"

Ivy’s pretty face filled uely felt pressure on my hand "I know you tried to trick daddy or my family, but--but I don’t like this I sahat you did How you saved those people"

"You’re my sister, Ivy," I croaked "I only wanted to save you"

"I thought about it a lot," she said "You could have kidnapped ed your athered in her eyes "You really do love me, don’t you?"

"Yes" I tried to reach for her, butto my wants or needs I tried to sayconsciousness

A sparkling tear fell from her eye, and splashed on irls drowning me in tears, but arctic cold swept up asp

"Get away from him, child," said the voice of Jeremiah Conroy, but I couldn’t turn my head to see What I did see was Elyssa frozen in place Her eyes widened, but she didn’t seem to be able to use her mouth, or move

"He’s my brother!" Ivy yelled "My only brother! I won’t let him die"

"He will only cause you haro Otherwise, the world will suffer We stand at the precipice of light and dark, child"

"But, he’sback sobs

"Your brother stands against everything we have taught you If you do this, if youwe have worked for" I heard a foot splash in water "The fate of the world could rest in this decision, Ivy Will you choose this de quietly Several long seconds passed, and then I heard her whisper "I choose fairl," Jereirl"

I felt pressure on ht every molecule of my body on fire

"Justin," Ivy said in a furious voice, "is faony in every fiber ofI cried out, my voice hoarse and raw

"There will be consequences for this, girl," Jerery voice "I promise you will not like them"

Ivy leaned into view, her face screwed up orry "I love you, Justin" She kissed htliss," I whispered in a hoarse voice "In…healer’s…" I couldn’t get out another word