***TRICIA***

“Why would you do that?”

The words came out before I could even think, yet I couldn't pull them back.

Ryker let his arm drop—Vera stayed still on the ground, strands of her black hair spread out like a shadowed crown. That image carved into me, sudden and deep.

"She's okay," he said quietly, moving past her. Yet it had to be done

I crouched down a moment, hand near her face yet stopping just before her nostrils. Her breathing stayed calm, even. A quiet wave of comfort ...