54. Selene
Chapter 54
Selene
“ I sabella, please, you don’t know what you’re asking,” I plead. My voice is trembling as I watch her weaken before my eyes.
“I do, Selene.” Isabella insists as she clutches her bleeding neck.
But I can’t bring myself to do it, no matter how much my body screams for blood. “I can’t hurt you,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes.
Isabella shakes her head, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. “You have to, Selene. You have to feed. If you don’t, they’ll kill me.”
“I can’t,” I repeat, my heart breaking at the desperation in her voice. “I won’t.”
But even as I speak the words, I can feel the hunger gnawing at me. It’s like a living, breathing thing, tearing me apart from the inside until there’s nothing left but the urge to feed.
Isabella’s eyes flutter closed. “Please, Selene,” she whispers. Her voice is barely audible now. “I don’t want to die.”
I can’t stand to see her like this, so helpless and vulnerable. But I can’t bring myself to do what she’s asking, either. I’m trapped.
Tears stream down my face as I lean in closer. My hand is trembling as I brush a strand of hair away from her pale face. “I’m so sorry, Isabella,” I whisper and press my lips to her forehead.
But even as I say the words, I know they’re not enough. I have to do something, anything, to save her.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to do.