Kendra's POV

The edges of the paper crumpled between my fingers as I clenched my hands into fists. I read the lines over and over again in my head, still not quite sure it was real.

I'm sorry. I love you. Goodbye.

Bracken

A single tear fell from my face, marking the paper with a single, dark spot. How could he do this to me? I would turn eighteen soon, and then I would be an eternal. No more age differences to get in our way. It just didn't seem like something he would do.

I looked up as Seth opened the attic door with an audible creak. He glanced at me and frowned.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded absently.

He walked over and sat beside me.

"Seriously," He said, and I knew there was no escape "What happened?"

I handed him the note. I didn't trust myself to speak.

He read it over quickly and winced. "Ouch."

I kept my head down. I wouldn't let my brother see me cry.

"I don't think he meant to hurt you."

Oh? Really now?

I'd seen stuff like this before. He doesn't care, he never did.

"Look," Seth tried again, after not getting a response. "I don't approve of mister fancy immortal unicorn, but this seems really out of character..."

I met his concerned gaze at last. "How do you know his character? Remember Gavin? He betrayed us, and no one saw it coming."

"Kendra." He said forcefully "Gavin is not an accurate example of society. He was a demon prince the Sphinx sent to kill us. Doesn't count."

I opened my mouth to speak, then decided against it. I turned into my brothers shoulder and sobbed openly. He put an arm around me.

"It'll be okay."

But I didn't think it would.

Seth's POV

I woke to sunlight streaming through my window. Fortunately for me, it was in the exact angle to shine directly in my eyes and be an enormous pain.

How wonderful.

I got up, looking around the attic room I still shared with my sister. I glanced over at her. Still asleep.

I crept quietly down the stairs, afraid of waking anyone.

Turns out, I didn't have to worry.

Everyone was seated in a circle in the living room, chatting. Except Dale, who was no doubt outside, working.

"Morning Seth." Grandpa said as I took a seat beside Warren. "Where's Kendra?"

"Still asleep." I replyed.

Of course, to help my cause, she chose that exact moment to walk in. She had a long T-shirt and shorts on. She hadn't bothered to change.

She sat down beside me, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. She was clearly still upset about yesterday.

I looked forlornly at Kendra. My heart hurt to see her like this.

And then there was an actual pain in my chest.

I gasped, doubling over. "Seth?" I heard my sister's concerned voice. Her reaction was mirrored by others in the room.

A violent shudder rippled through my body. I vaguely felt a hand on my shoulder, but I barely noticed. Instead, I focused all my energy on fighting off the strong aftershocks that kept me shaking.

I fought 'till I had nothing left.

And everything went black.