Aria's POV
Damon's gaze never left mine. "I'm not leaving you, Aria."
My heart clenched hard enough to hurt. "Damon, you need to leave. I already hurt you. I don't want to do that again."
I glanced at the others, my father, Joshua, and Viktor.
"Please, all of you... Go."
"No, Aria." Joshua's voice was firm. "I'm not leaving."
"Neither am I." My father's tone remained calm and unwavering. "Fight this. You can do it. You're stronger than you know."
"Yes, Aria. Fight it," Joshua added.
I shook my head, a groan escaping me as another tremor ran through my hands.
"I can't."
The shaking wouldn't stop. Another pulse of energy rolled through me, and I winced as heat flared beneath my skin, sharp and wild.
Damon's eyes flashed silver. He moved forward. Panic slammed into me.
"No, Damon.
