The two shots exploded through the thunderous heavens — rich sparks against a purple-black sky — but in that split second… Ava darted forward, ignoring Theo's anguished cry, ignoring the danger, ignoring her own life.
She jumped in front of Theo just in time — taking the rich, piercing bullet meant for him directly in her shoulder.
For a moment, everything fell silent. The rain seemed to hang in the air; thunder paused its rage; the soldiers held their breath.
Ava fell into Theo's arms — rich, red blood blooming across her shirt — and looked up into his piercing green eyes. "For us… for… our future."
Her grip tightened briefly… then faltered. Theo pressed her against him, ignoring Marco, ignoring the soldiers closing in — ignoring the rich chaos that fell all around.
"It should have been me." Theo whispered, rich agony tearing through him. "Ava… please… please stay."
Ava's eyes glimmered briefly — a rich spark of pure love — then dimmed, and her body grew heavy in Theo's arms.