Ruvan releases me instantly. I sink to the floor trembling, coughing. I almost feel sick but I stop myself. Retching would be the worst thing possible right now. I need the elixir’s strength to heal my wounds and give me strength.
“You will pay!” Ruvan shouts from the very pit of his stomach. The castle shudders with his rage. He balls his hands into fists and throws his head back. The elixir pulls up from the floor in droplets, as if the world has been turned upside down and the ceiling is now the floor. It begins to swirl around Ruvan, faster and faster, a tempest of blood lore.
Winny and Lavenzia speed into the room, screeching to a halt just inside the door. They look on in shock. Ventos stumbles back.
The Lost rises to its feet—to the challenge Ruvan presents. But the fight is already over. The elixir coats the monster as Ruvan magically commands it, sinking into its flesh. It screeches and wails. There is a vortex of death and when the noise stops the Lost is on the ground, unmoving.
Ruvan collapses.
Even though every muscle is on fire, I crawl over to him. I pull Ruvan from the wet ground and into my arms. His head dips back. But his skin is gnarled, wrinkled. His breathing is shallow and his skin still hasn’t regained its luster.
The curse has him now.
