"Julian!" Ruby shouted, her voice cracking as she ran toward him, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
She dropped to her knees, not caring about the dirt, and gently lifted his head onto her lap.
Her hands shook as she patted his cold cheeks, trying to get a response.
"Julian, wake up! Can you hear me?!"
Her chest tightened painfully, a sharp, unfamiliar fear sinking deep into her bones.
It felt like her soul was being sucked out of her body.
Like she was experiencing the worst moment of her life—
Because seeing Julian like this, injured, unconscious, vulnerable in her arms—
It was pure agony.
Her fingers brushed against his blood-streaked hair, and something inside her snapped.
What the hell happened to him?!
Who did this?!
Her anger burned like fire, but right now he needed her.
Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around him, effortlessly lifting him into a bridal carry.