“Oh, damn you!” She gripped the front of Castor’s robes, shaking him. “You could have avoided that easily—snap out of it!” His head lolled back. She pressed an ear against his chest, but couldn’t hear anything over her own heartbeat. “Castor?” she said, shaking him. “Cas!” He didn’t respond. Lore pressed the heel of her hand against his chest, driving it down and down and down. Castor surged up, gasping. He twisted onto his side, disoriented, his legs and arms sliding against the carpet. “Cas . . .” Lore began, reaching for him.
