"Elsie..." The scream ripped from my throat, raw and desperate. My eyes went wide, refusing to accept what I was seeing.
This couldn't be happening. Not when I'd finally found her. Not when I was so damn close to the truth.
Elsie coughed up blood, her shaking hand reaching for me, but Ivy's vicious kick sent her sprawling.
Ivy scrambled backward like a frightened animal, rolling and clawing until she cowered behind Gideon.
Blood covered her neck - impossible to tell if it was Elsie's or her own.
Usually she'd be bawling by now.
Instead, she just stood there shaking, staring at me with pure terror in her eyes.
"A-Bella..." Elsie's voice was barely a whisper, guilt written all over her face.
Her lips moved, trying to form words, but only more blood poured out.
Whatever she was trying to say got lost in the gurgling.
Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed her hand, pressing it desperately against the gushing wound. "Don't talk, Elsie. I've got you. I'm going to save you..."
