Mark of the Taboo (1)

"Riz? Riz?!" Amelia tapped Ricci's face gently, trying to rouse their friend, but Ricci remained unresponsive.

"Riz! Don't do this to us, please!" She begged Ricci, but no matter how hard Amelia tried to shake Ricci, she wouldn't move an inch. Amelia didn't care what she looked like right then and grieved over Ricci's death. She couldn't accept that she had lost Ricci like this.

Chrysanthe covered her mouth and cried unabashedly. Ricci lost her life because the fae tried to save her from the unseelie fae king and she couldn't blame anyone for this tragedy, but herself.

Meanwhile, Iris stared at the first darkling she, Amelia and Chrysanthe had befriended. From the moment they met Ricci, this fae had done her best to protect them and keep them from harm. Until her last breath, Ricci had a smile on her face. A smile that Iris knew would haunt her for the rest of her life if she didn't do anything.