Edge of Valor (Edge of Collapse, #7)

by Kyla Stone

Quinn’s eyes burned. Tears seared her cheeks. “Truth be told…thought I’d go out…in a blaze of glory.” Gran coughed up blood. A fine mist sprayed Quinn’s cheek. “Not like…this.” “Don’t talk, Gran. Save your strength.” “And here I had an amazing death speech all planned out…but I’m so tired…just tired.” “No, Gran,” Quinn whimpered. “Please, no.” Gran stretched out a trembling hand and attempted to wipe the blood away. It smeared Quinn’s face. She didn’t care. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Gran. “Don’t die on me.” “You just remember…remember…” Quinn wrapped her hand over Gran’s—weak and quivering, skin and veins stretched over thin bones. “You can’t die on me.” Gran said something, too soft for Quinn to hear over the ringing in her ears. She bent low, clutching her grandmother’s hand. “Lot of things to regret in this life…” Gran said. “Never you, girl…not for one second. Never you.” Gran’s eyes rolled back in her head. Her papery eyelids fluttered. Her chest hitched, shuddered, and fell still. “No!” Quinn said. “No, no, no! Gran! Stay with me! No!”