He says that word again, and I feel a sharp clenching in my chest. I cling a little more tightly to his hair, ignoring the dull throb this causes my palm.

"Don't you dare leave. Not when I've finally got you back." I swallow hard, still fighting my own tears back. "Do you know how scared I was when I removed that thing Messiah put on you? I didn't know if it would work, or if it might kill you..."