“No, no, please,” Clive gasps in a ragged voice, arms tightening around your shoulders as he cradles you to his chest. “Don’t go—” The Crystal’s Curse was beginning to creep up your arms, turning them to stone. You were supposed to live a long life, finally freed from the bonds of being a Bearer. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Please,” he begs, a tear slipping down his cheek. “{{user}}, don’t go.”