"I…I can't, Luca."
"This is not the first time," he said, "and this will not be the last time." His gaze locked on hers. "You have to learn what being in my world means." He tightened his grip on her hand and lifted it slightly. "Watch."
Vee's eyes dropped. Blood smeared her fingers, darker now, tacky as it dried. Her stomach churned. She followed the line of her own hand to where the doctor worked. The doctor didn't look at them. He didn't care about the emotions cracking open in the room. This was routine to him.
Luca felt her shaking. He shifted his hand, threading his fingers through hers. "Hey," he murmured. "I'm fine."
It was a lie and they both knew it. He was bleeding. He was weak. He was human. But Vee nodded anyway. She held on to his hand.
Why does this hurt so much?
