Liv screamed.
The sound shattered the darkness, shook the ground, tore at her own ears.
"No! Don't say that! That's our child!"
Jay's smile widened.
"Zelthar always demands a price," he said. "And you've already paid it."
Liv tried to rise but her body would not obey. Her legs trembled, her belly was cold, her breath caught in her chest.
She looked down.
Blood pooled between her thighs.
She had already given birth.
And there was no cry.
Only silence.
"Jay…" she whispered in despair. "Give him back…"
Jay did not answer.
He simply stood there, holding the baby closer as if shielding it from her.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I chose."
That word chose,
destroyed Liv completely.
She screamed with all her strength.
"Jay—!"
Liv jolted awake with a scream.
Her body lurched half upright, breath coming in ragged gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she had just run a great distance. Her hands trembled as they clutched the sheets in panic.
