POV: Luna

He helped me stand. My legs nearly buckled, but his arm around my waist kept me upright. Together, we moved toward the fight.

"Thelma!" I called out. "Xavier! Fall back!"

They glanced at me, confused, but they trusted me. They disengaged from Vex, creating space.

Vex stood in the center of the corridor, breathing hard, black veins spreading further across her skin. She was losing control of her own body.

"Stay back!" she screamed, but it wasn't a threat. It was fear. "I can't control it anymore! I don't know what I'll do!"

"I know what you are," I said, walking toward her slowly. "You're terrified. You did...