It has been two months since he held a human captive. Occasionally, he hears cries and sobs whenever he walks to the attic, where she resides. But as a ruler, he couldn't falter.

More than once, the girl has tried to run away from his castle, and every time, he has caught her in the act. "Go back to your room," he has demanded.

Sometimes, he spends his time in the garden. The beauty has faded, and now all the flowers have wilted. Even the flowers couldn't resist the Frenzy, but he has come to revere what was once in the garden.

And today, he found what was not supposed to be in the garden.

A figure lying on the ground with hair spiraled up against her forehead. Her eyelashes fluttered shut against her cheek. And the red marks on her wrist were visible.

His hand reached for her wrist. A flicker of something brews as he witnesses the remnants of red hues. Yet he reminds himself, this was all for his people. He abducted the girl, all to create a cure for his kind. From mortal's blood.

He poke her cheek with a stick. "Wake up."