Cassidy
The tension hadn't left the room, even after we settled into silence.
Celeste's fingers curled tightly around mine, the weight of everything sitting heavy in the space between us. Her breath was shaky but steadying, like she was trying to remind herself that she wasn't alone anymore. That we had her. That we wouldn't let this spiral any further—if we could help it.
Kieran stood near the door now, arms crossed, gaze focused somewhere between the wall and his sister's pale face.
He didn't speak.
Not for a long time.
Finally, his voice cut through the stillness. "We need to talk about what happens next."
Celeste groaned and flopped back onto her pillows. "Is this the part where you yell, ground me, and threaten to throw me in a dungeon?"
"No," Kieran replied calmly. "This is the part where I ask if you're willing to give Geena your blood to save her life."
Her body stilled. "Are you serious?"
"It's not a demand," Kieran said. "It's a choice. Yours."
