KNOX’S POV

She’s burning up in my arms.

One second Ember is limp against my chest, unconscious but breathing, and the next her skin is on fire.

Actual fire, heat radiating off her so intense it nearly blisters my palms, and she’s writhing and twisting and making sounds that aren’t quite screams but close enough to make everything inside me go cold.

No. No no no no no.

“Ember.” I’m shaking her, cupping her face, pressing my forehead to hers even though it burns. “Ember, wake up. Open your eyes. Look at me. LOOK AT ME.”

She doesn’t respond. She just keeps burning, keeps writhing, keeps making those sounds that...