CAT WEPT BENEATH HIM, HER body shaking with sobs and Alek heard the thought echoing in her mind.

Too late, I was too late.

Sabyn reached Loi and gathered her limp body in his arms, face blank with shock while he sat holding her. Leseach joined him a moment later, carefully checking the girl and Alek found himself tensing with irrational hope. Gredel helped Sabyn to his feet, face grim, and Sabyn cradled Loi's body, chin resting against her head. Awful moans and cries ...