Chapter 295 - Circle of Life (1/2)

Queen Isla's lips parted in an 'O', but her hand quickly flew to cover it. Her eyes were wide in shock as she looked at Shadow.

Olivia followed her mother's gaze and saw Shadow for herself. ”Shado—” Olivia wasn't able to finish Shadow's name.

Blood pooled inside Shadow's mouth that when she opened it, thick crimson streamed down on each corner.

”No, no, no!” Olivia hysterically cried. She rushed closer to Shadow's side, catching her in a hug.

Scanning Shadow's body, Olivia located the gunshot wound and found it on the right side of her back.

”Just hang in there, okay?” Olivia begged. She pressed her hand on Shadow's open wound to keep more blood from gushing out.

She had a feeling Shadow's lung was punctured during their escape, and the adrenaline masked the pain that she didn't notice she was shot.

”Go,” Shadow managed to speak before slumping on the floor when she couldn't pull her own weight.

”Shadow, please. Not you,” Olivia croaked. A decade of memories with Shadow flashed in Olivia's eyes before it was carried away by the wind.

”Go. Door. Close. Door,” Shadow spoke through a labored breath.

Olivia understood what Shadow was saying. The wounded soldier wanted Olivia to leave her behind so she could guard the secret passage, but there was no way she would do that.

When Olivia wouldn't budge, Shadow snatched the knife in her boss's pocket and pierced the tip on the hollow of Olivia's neck.

A smirk crossed Shadow's face as she spoke, ”Die. Together.”

Olivia closed her eyes. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably as she cried silent tears for the decade of companionship she had with Shadow.

Peeling Olivia off of Shadow, two gentle hands cupped Olivia's shoulders. ”Let's go, darling,” Queen Isla coaxed. She was calm and collected, even in the midst of raining gunfire.

Olivia knew the reality that they could not stay longer and they couldn't drag Shadow with them because it would slow them down from reaching their sanctuary.

Left with no choice but to leave the injured Shadow behind, Olivia ripped the bottom half and the right arm sleeve of her silken blouse.

She used the ripped cloth to patch it on the wound behind Shadow's back. She then used the sleeve as a tourniquet to hold the patch of clothing in place.

”K...k…key,” Shadow tried to raise her finger, pointing at the key.

”Got it,” Olivia said, taking the key off the hole.