Katie’s throat was worse than the last time Josie had attacked her. She reached out a shaking hand to feel for a pulse. There was nothing there.

“Please don’t be gone. Please, Katie. I love you.” Alexis felt tears running down her face.

Bhal dropped down beside her and felt for Katie’s pulse. She sighed and then placed her hand on Katie’s forehead.

“Bhal? Can you save her? There’s a fountain in the park. I can get you water.”

Bhal shook her head. “I’m sorry, Alexis. She’s too far gone. She’s dead.”

From behind them, Alexis heard the sound of laughter. She turned her head slowly and saw Josie slumped against the tree where she had thrown her, her face caked in Katie’s blood.

Josie grinned and said, “I told you she was mine.”

The words had barely left Josie’s mouth when Alexis was on her. She grabbed her then threw her against another tree. Josie cried out, and Alexis did the same again. Josie was moaning in pain. She might be immortal, but she could feel the full force of the pain until her bones knitted back together again.

Alexis was caught in a storm of red hot rage, like nothing she had ever experienced. This time when she grabbed Josie, Alexis began pounding her fists on her face and body, unleashing both fury and grief.

“No, no, stop!” Josie cried.

Alexis didn’t stop until Bhal pulled her off. “Duca, that’s enough. End this, and let’s take care of Katie’s body.”

Alexis stood on wobbly legs and held her hand out. Bhal took her sword from the scabbard on her back and handed it to Alexis.

Bhal then pulled Josie onto her knees. Josie’s face was a mess, her nose badly broken. Alexis walked forward and pulled her closer by the hair.

“You’ve just killed the kindest, most gentle woman, and for that I’m going to take your head.” She pushed Josie back and held up the sword.

“I’m sorry, please don’t kill me,” Josie said.

Alexis didn’t even consider her pleas. She swiped the sword through the air and cleanly took Josie’s head from her shoulders. Alexis’s breathing was heavy. She was so lost in her rage, her pain, she was unaware of anything around her until Bhal grabbed her and said, “Alexis, come here.”

She turned around and saw Katie gasping for air. She rushed over. “What happened? What’s going on?”

“She started gasping and coughing when you took Josie’s head.”

Alexis cupped Katie’s cheek. “Katie, Katie, I’m here.”

At those words Katie opened her eyes, and the whites were edged with red.

“She’s turned, Bhal. I don’t know—” Alexis then remembered the other night when Katie bit her arm. “I do know. She bit my arm the other night.”