Chapter 231: Griffin Back Home
Natalie ~
The room was still electric from Fox’s last words, thick with tension and warnings that slithered under my skin like ice water.
But I turned away from it all—from the ominous threat of the soul sucker stone, from Fox’s piercing stare, the kind that made you feel like he was peeling back your layers with a glance. Whatever had stopped that soul-sucking stone could wait—Griffin was what mattered right now.
His head still rested against my shoulder, fragile and quiet like something that could shatter if I moved too fast. But for the first time since he stumbled out into the dining room, there was a hint of life returning. The ghostly pallor in his face was fading ever so slightly, replaced with the faintest flush of warmth. His breaths were even. No more shaking. No more gasping like he was clawing his way out of a nightmare. No more coughing. He was still here.
Alive.
"Jasmine, what do you think?" I asked silently, gently brushing a damp strand of hair away from Griffin’s clammy forehead.
"He’s holding on," came her voice in my mind, calm but edged with concern. "Barely. But that celestial jolt you gave him? It’s holding Shadow’s darkness back. For now."
I gave a small nod to myself, not daring to shift too much. My legs were completely dead from sitting on the floor for so long, cradling him like something priceless I wasn’t ready to let go of. Maybe because—despite everything, despite all the pain he caused—I couldn’t just leave him to suffer. It didn’t feel right.
I drew in a slow breath and shifted slightly, lifting his head with care. He stirred at the movement, a soft groan slipping past his lips.
"Easy," I murmured, brushing my thumb across his cheek. "You’re safe now."
His eyes blinked open, cloudy but aware. "Natalie...?"