As tears blurred Ruelle's vision, the green smoke that had spread around them moments ago was completely swallowed by the black smoke, leaving behind only the lingering sting in the air that pricked at her nose and throat. It took her a second to realise the old witch was gone. The doorway stood empty and the house suddenly went quiet until Peyton's voice rang from somewhere outside.
"Stop there!"
The hurried footsteps that followed grew fainter, making it obvious Peyton was chasing the witch. Ruelle instinctively turned back to Lucian, only for her face to turn pale. He calmly wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with the back of his hand as though it were nothing more than an inconvenience, yet the red staining his pale skin made her heart sink. Tears bled from the corners of his eyes.
"Lucian! Are you alright?" She crossed the distance between them almost without thinking, the question leaving her lips before she reached him.
