Hazel’s POV

The first thing I do is save his life. Again.

Vincent’s dead on the Beta quarters floor. Ella’s screams are still echoing down the corridor. But Alaric is burning up in my arms, blackroot and fever eating him from the inside out.

“Get him to the healing wing,” I order. My voice doesn’t shake. Luna’s voice. “Now.”

The guards don’t hesitate. Not anymore. They lift him between them, careful of his broken leg.

Cleric, my father steps beside me. “Blackroot’s fast,” he says, quiet. “But it’s not instant. Not if you caught it early.”

“Did we?” I ask. “Catch it early?”

“You set his leg before it could...