Alice deciding to give up her heart—this was something Elaine had never seen coming.

Alice had once told her that it didn’t matter whose heart it was. As long as it beat inside her, it was hers to keep. But now, she seemed to have changed her mind. Why, Elaine couldn’t fathom.

The thought weighed heavily on Elaine. That heart was the last blood connection she had in this world. And yet, Alice seemed ready to discard it, as if it meant nothing. ...