“No.”

Noa’s scream ripped out of him like something primal. Animals. The kind of sound that didn’t belong to a man but a beast with everything to lose. He dropped to his knees as Rook hit the ground beside him limp, his breath caught in his throat, his mouth parting in shock.

Blood soaked the front of his shirt.

Bright.

Hot.

Too fast.

“Noa” Rook gasped, his hand clutching at the wound, voice strangled. “I can’t breathe”

Noa’s hands flew to his chest, pressing down. “Stay ...