Chapter 195: The Regret in His Stance
Alaric understood, he knew how it had been the other day with his wife. It was irresistible.
Salviana knelt beside Jean, brushing a lock of hair from her pale face. "How can we save her? Stop bantering," she said, her voice firm but laced with a quiet plea.
Lucius’s gaze softened. He nodded once, solemnly, and knelt beside Salviana. "What can I do?" he asked, his tone subdued, the arrogance of a predator replaced by the humility of a man desperate to atone.
He couldn’t lose Jean. His pumpkin. He would do anything.
"Blood for blood," Manni replied. "Your blood holds power now. It might be the only thing that can restore her."
"Blood?! That’s disgusting," Salviana wailed.
Lucius hesitated, but as he looked down at Jean, the faintest memory of her calling his name echoed in his mind, anchoring him to this moment. "Then let it be done," he said quietly.
Alaric watched him intently, saying nothing, but his eyes hinted at approval. For now, Lucius would face what it meant to be alive once more.
Alaric’s sharp voice cut through the tense air. "Okay, cut the crap. She’s not a vampire—she doesn’t need blood to wake up."
Both Lucius and Salviana frowned, exchanging confused glances.
"What do you mean?" Lucius asked, his tone edged with irritation.