Maya’s POV
The world seemed to slow as Sebastian’s body turned into my shield. His golden gaze locked onto mine, unwavering, as the silver blade twisted into his back. The sound of metal against flesh made my stomach churn, my throat tighten until I could hardly breathe. Horror gripped me, but not once did he falter.
Not a growl, not even a hiss of pain escaped his lips. He held me as though I were weightless, as though I mattered more than his own survival, his chest rising and falling steadily while the venom of silver spread like wildfire through his veins. His arms tightened protectively, as if he could shield me from the truth of what was happening, but I felt every tremor that rippled through his body, every drop of agony he refused to admit.
Selene’s hands shook violently, her li
