Then, suddenly—
Alek’s chest jerked.
The breath I had been holding shattered from my lungs.
Luka was forcing air into him, his magic moving through Alek’s body, keeping him alive. I watched, hope battling terror, as Alek’s chest rose and fell in shallow, rhythmic motions.
*"It’s working,"* I whispered.
*"Not enough,"* Luka ground out, sweat beading at his temple. His breath was coming faster now, his shoulders rising and falling with the effort of sustaining his magic.. *"His heart… it’s still too weak."*
A cold wave of panic washed over me.
Alek was slipping.
No. No, I wouldn’t let this happen.
"What do we do?" My voice was barely a whisper, my hands tightening around Alek’s motionless one.
Luka turned to me, his gaze fierce and unwavering. "We have to do it together."
My
