The brutal wounds from their attackers forced Fiona back into human form with a sickening crack of bones reshaping. She collapsed hard, her knees hitting the blood-soaked earth as agony exploded through every nerve.
Air refused to fill her lungs. Each breath was liquid fire.
"Kill... Reginald..." The words tore from her throat as she watched him tear into the same beast that had shredded her chest. Her hand reached desperately toward him, fingers trembling. "Reginald..."
Then the real pain hit.
Something warm and wet spread between her thighs, soaking through her torn clothes. The metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils as tears cascaded down her dirt-streaked cheeks.
Death wouldn't claim her—not yet. Her healing powers would eventually kick in, knitting flesh back together, forcing her heart to keep beating. She just needed time.
But when enemies surrounded you and your body was failing, time became your executioner.
