That only fueled his anger.
He pulled the knife away, his grip tightening on my head, forcing me to face the east.
“Look, Eulalie. The sunlight is coming.”
Sebastian stepped back, taking refuge in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the punishment about to unfold.
My skin sizzled under the harsh rays, pain crashing through me like a tidal wave, but I remained still, my gaze fixed on the smoke rising from my arm.
But something was different this time.
My skin didn’t just burn; it cracked, revealing the flesh beneath and already turning to ash.
“What’s going on?”
His voice was laced with confusion for the first time. “You…”
I smiled. For the first time, I saw fear flash in his eyes.
He rushed forward, grabbing me and yanking me back into the shadows.
Even that rough movement tore my skin like paper and blood mixed with ash, leaving a trail behind me.
“What did you do?”
He demanded, his eyes ablaze with fury and something new: panic.
I didn’t answer. Just one more day and I would be free forever.
“Tell me. What did you do?”
He leaned over me, pressing closer, rage boiling in his eyes.
“Why is your body like this?”
I turned my head away, remaining silent.
With a curse, Sebastian slapped me hard.
My cheek split like paper, the wound refusing to heal, blood seeping out slowly.
He roared, his voice thick with anger, “Eulalie, answer me. What did you do to yourself?”
At that moment, the lab door creaked open.
Gwen walked in, dressed in a sheer nightgown.
She looked as though she had just woken up, sleep still clinging to her eyes, her movements slow and delicate.
“Sebastian, what’s going on?”
She yawned softly before her gaze settled on me.
Sebastian turned, his tone softening instantly.
“Gwen, why did you get up?”
Gwen walked over, her fingertips brushing the wound on my face with an eerie gentleness.
Her touch seemed full of pity, yet the pressure beneath it spoke of something darker.
“Why does she look like this? Her wounds aren’t healing at all.”
“I don’t know,” Sebastian muttered, frowning.
“It must be because she refused your blood last night. Now she’s being punished.”
Gwen tilted her head, her expression as innocent as ever, her gaze full of feigned purity.
Sebastian stared at me, his gaze thoughtful.
“You’re saying she’s like this because she didn’t drink my blood?”
“Of course.”
Gwen nodded with uncertainty. “She brought it on herself. How dare she reject your gift?”
I closed my eyes, tuning out their speculations.
Only I knew the truth about the broken blood pact and that secret would die with me.
Sebastian was silent for a moment before suddenly making a decision.
“Then I’ll give her my blood.”
I snapped my eyes open, shaking my head in refusal, but he grabbed my chin, his grip tight.
The sudden movement startled Gwen.
“Sebastian, what are you doing?”
“If her condition is because of lack of blood, then I’ll feed her mine.”
His tone was cold, commanding.
“I need her alive, at least until I find a way to make you human again.”
Sebastian pulled out the silver knife he always carried, slicing open his wrist.
Blood trickled down his arm and he held it over my lips.
“Drink,” he ordered.
I clamped my lips shut, resisting with everything I had.
“You really think I can’t make you open your mouth?”
Sebastian sneered, suddenly leaning down, pressing his lips against mine.
