"Selene? Dear? Wake up." Mrs. Weaver's voice trembled with nervousness, cutting through the haze of relief that had only just settled moments before.
Alaric who was just a few steps away from the room, froze. The words he heard sank into his mind like ice. Then, like a man possessed, he whirled around with his fear propelling him back into the room. In one swift motion, he handed the newborn to Mrs. Weaver as his trembling hands betrayed his panic.
"Take her!" His voice cracked out of desperation.
His focus tunneled in on Selene. Her still, pale figure was a vision he couldn't bear to accept. He instantly dropped to his knees beside her while his hands reached out, trembling as they cupped her face. "Selene," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Stay with me, my love. Please."
When she d
