Claire’s POV. 

I held Betty close as the light wrapped around us, carrying us away from the shrine. 

In the blink of an eye, we were inside my room, where it was quiet and safe from the eyes of the others. 

I gently laid her on the bed. 

I noticed her skin was cold, and the strange mark on her arm still glowed faintly, like embers refusing to die out.

I dipped a cloth into cool water and pressed it against the burn. 

She didn’t move, only breathed softly, her face pale under the ...