25. Chapter 25

Rowan

I stand frozen, paralyzed with horror, as I realize what Darick's about to do. The broken windows beckon, promising freedom just a few feet away. But the encroaching sunlight paints a different picture – one where Darick burns to save us.

"No," I whisper, my voice drowned out the blaring alarms.

Darick's back is to me, his body a shield between us and the approaching threat. The pendant he pressed into my hand burns hot against my skin. I don't know what it means, but it seems to be important to him, so I clutch it firmly.

"Run!" His voice is a barely recognizable rasp. "Take Sarah and go!"

I'm rooted to the spot, lungs refusing to draw air. Sarah is sagging beside me, hanging onto me to hold herself upright, and I know there's no chance she'll survive whatever they have planned for us. Every fiber of my being screams to run, to take the escape Darick's offering. But my feet won't budge.

A trickle of sunlight creeps across the floor, inching closer to where we stand. My mind races, desperately seeking a solution.

There has to be another way.

I can't let him die for me. It's not right. I can't bear it!

"Darick," I choke out, reaching for him. My fingers brush his arm, and I feel him tense. He doesn't turn, doesn't take his eyes off the door, but I know he's listening.

"I can't—" I start, but the words catch in my throat. I can't what? Let him do this? Leave him behind? The realization sucks the breath from me: Despite everything, despite all my anger and distrust, I can't bear the thought of losing him.

"Go!" There's such force in the word that it knocks me back a step.

The door bursts open, and time seems to slow as Heath and a dozen others pour in. Darick laughs. He freaking laughs! I hear him growl a challenge to our attackers, seemingly oblivious to the sunlight that creeps ever closer.

My magic flares within me, responding to my desperate need. But it's weak, suppressed by whatever they've done to me. There's only one option. Tightening my grasp around Sarah's waist, I haul her arm behind my neck, using it to keep her on her feet. And then I plow every ounce of my strength into my legs, and I run, pulling Sarah's limp form toward the window, my muscles screaming in protest.

The rising sun paints a deadly path across the floor, seeping ever closer to where Darick stands. Horror rises in my throat as I realize what it means for him.

"Come on," I grunt, half-dragging Sarah. Her feet barely move, and I'm practically carrying her dead weight.

The sunlight inches forward, an unstoppable tide of golden death. I can't look back at Darick. I can't bear to see what might be happening to him. The sounds of struggle behind us grow louder, punctuated by snarls and screams.

As we reach the window, shards of broken glass glint in the early morning light, promising more pain. But it's nothing compared to what awaits us if we stay.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to Sarah, unsure if she can even hear me. Then, with a deep breath, I tighten my grip on her and throw us both through the window.

Glass slices into my skin as we crash through. The world tilts and spins, and for a moment, all I know is the rush of air and the sting of a thousand tiny cuts. We hit the ground hard, Sarah's weight driving the air from my lungs.

Pain blooms across my body, but I force myself to move. We're not safe yet. I struggle to my feet, pulling Sarah up with me. My legs shake, threatening to give out, but I push forward.

We've escaped, but at what cost? The image of Darick facing certain death burns in my mind, spurring me onward despite the agony coursing through my battered body.

"Come on," I rasp, urging Sarah to move faster. But she's barely conscious, her feet trailing uselessly.

The warmth of the rising sun touches my face, growing stronger with each passing moment. It should be comforting, but all I can think about is what it means for Darick. A sob escapes me, raw and broken.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, familiar arms, nearly causing me to collapse with relief.

"Rowan!" It's Dad's voice, thick with worry. "Oh God, what happened to you?"

I look up to see my father's face, lined with concern. Beyond him, I spot Gran, Mom, and Kara, along with other witches I recognize from the coven.

They've come for us.

Not us. For me.

"Sarah," I manage to choke out. "Help her."

Two witches I don't know well rush forward, gently taking Sarah from me. As her weight leaves my side, my legs finally give out. Dad tightens his grasp, supporting me as I sway.

Mom rushes to my side. "It's okay," she soothes, stroking my hair. "We've got you now."

I cling to her, sobs wracking my body. "Darick," I gasp between breaths. "He's still in there. The sun—"

Gran steps up closer, her face grim. "We know, dear. We'll do what we can."

I want to explain, to make them understand that despite everything, Darick doesn't deserve to die like this.

I struggle against Dad's grip, my body shaking with a mixture of exhaustion and desperation. "No, you don't understand!" I scream, my voice hoarse and raw. "We have to help him…now!"

Mom tries to soothe me, her hands gentle on my face, but I can't focus on her words.

"Please," I beg, looking from face to face, searching for someone who will listen. "He saved us. We can't just leave him!"

Mom and Dad exchange a glance that speaks more than any words could. Gran lays a hand on my arm, her eyes filled with an emotion that tears at my soul.

"Oh, Ro…" Kara's voice is gentle. Warm light touches her face, highlighting the rose-gold streaks in her hair. It's a light that I hate because I know what it means.

"Please!" I interrupt, a fresh wave of tears spilling down my cheeks. "We have to try!"

I watch as a group of witches move toward the building, their faces set with determination. But they're not moving fast enough.

Don't they understand? Every second counts!

Breaking free from Dad's grasp, I stumble forward, my legs weak and unsteady. "Darick!" I scream, my voice cracking with the force of it.

I turn back toward the building, my eyes straining against the brightening day. The world seems to slow, each second stretching into eternity as I watch, helpless and horrified.

Suddenly, a blinding explosion of light erupts from the windows, so intense it sears my vision. I throw up an arm to shield my eyes, but it's too late. The image is burned into my retinas, a cruel reminder of what's happening inside.

My heart stops. The sun has flooded the room where Darick was fighting.

As the spots clear from my vision, the full weight of what I've just witnessed crashes down on me. That wasn't just sunlight. It was too bright, too violent. It was Darick, consumed by the dawn.

My knees buckle, and I crumple to the ground. The pendant he gave me digs into my palm, its heat fading as quickly as my hope. This time, there's no coming back. No regeneration from ashes.

This time, his death is final.

A wail builds in my chest, raw and primal. It tears from my throat, echoing across the morning air. The sound barely seems human, filled with all the anguish and grief I can't contain.

"No!" I scream, my voice breaking. "Darick!"

The sun continues to rise, painting the sky in beautiful shades of pink and gold. But all I can see is darkness. All I can feel is the gaping void where Darick used to be.

My family surrounds me, their hands reaching out to comfort me, but I can't bear their touch. I curl in on myself, clutching the pendant to my chest as if it could somehow bring him back.

But it can't. Nothing can.

Darick is gone, and the dawn of this new day has never felt so cruel.