# Chapter 96: The Protector Falls
Blood was everywhere.
Damien's blood.
I knelt beside him. My hands pressed against the wounds. Trying to stop the bleeding. But there was too much.
"Stay with me," I whispered.
His eyes found mine. They were getting dim. Like a light going out.
"Can't," he said. Each word cost him. "Too deep."
The Void Wolf's claws had torn him open. Chest to belly. I could see inside him. See things that should be hidden.
"Don't you dare," I said. "Don't you dare leave me."
He tried to smile. Blood ran from his mouth.
"Not leaving. Just going ahead. Wait for you there."
"No."
Around us, the battle kept going. Our wolves fighting. Dying. The Shadow Council pushing closer.
But all I could see was Damien. All I could hear was his breathing. Getting weaker.
"Vanessa." His voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm here."
"The artifacts. Use them."
I looked down. They were dim now. Almost dead. Like they were dying with him.
