Mia opened the door to their chamber and stepped inside, and she found Xavier on the bed the same way she left him. It wasn't like he could move anywhere without her help, though.

For the first time since finding out about his shadow sickness, she had hoped, and it was the most powerful thing she ever experienced. She would hold on to it, telling herself it wasn't time to give up.

"Where did you go?" Xavier asked as she stepped onto the bed.

She turned to him and found that his lashes were still shut; he must have picked up her scent. Despite the shadow sickness, his abilities were...