Terrence slumped to the floor and began convulsing. He'd loosened most of the silver holding her prisoner so Breanna was able to slip the remaining knots and loops to escape. Sliding to the floor, she grabbed Terrence's head and cradled it in her lap.
"No, no, no," she cried, the tears running down her cheeks, instantly knowing what had happened. "You can't have him." But she had no magic, no defense for what attacked his body.
The Cedric-mouse scampered out the door with the large scruffy cat fast in pursuit. Any other time that would have amused her, but she didn't feel like laughing, not when Terrence so obviously fought against a hideous death.
The shaking suddenly stopped and Terrence went still, his face a ghastly grey color. Breanna shrieked and lay her head down on his chest. Tears rolled unashamedly from her eyes, soaking the linen covering his broad chest, a chest that still rose with the faint but still beating sound of his heart.