You’re not alone, he thought as he brushed a lock of hair back from her face, still holding her other hand in his. His hands itched to move—itched to echo the words within his mind.

Silence, the silence he’d been trapped in for so long weighed on him, but for some reason, he wanted to hold her hand and keep the other curved where he could stroke the silken skin of her cheek.

Her skin was cooling…her life, already gone.

It was done.

He felt the ripple in the air, that tightening, and he sighed, shaking his head. Why was the bastard coming now?

“Her name is Vanya,” a voice said from behind.

Will.

Glancing back at him, Silence lifted a brow.

Sina had once told him he could convey entire conversations with just a look. Perhaps Will agreed because he just shrugged and said, “Well, would you rather stare at her and think of her as human—although that won’t apply for much longer. Perhaps you intend to think of her simply as protégée? Knowing her name will help you both. And I’m here to deal with the mess, because as always, you made a hell of one.”

Will nudged one of the heads and scowled. “Off with their heads.”

Then he came over and crouched on her other side, across from Silence.

His hand touched her throat—under it, brilliant, bright-white light flared.

Silence looked away.

But from the corner of his eye, he saw Will place a hand on her chest, just over her heart, and he found himself staring down, watching as Will called her back.

Back through death’s door.

It wasn’t Will’s power that made it possible—he was just the channel.

But it was a fucking disconcerting thing to watch.