Later, Miria's room was crowded. The entire group had gathered, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive. Bryan had brought the best healer from the vampire kingdom. An old man with grave features had just finished examining Miria carefully.
He finally straightened up, his face somber.
"I'm sorry… Miria is dying."
A leaden silence fell over the room. Asher was the first to react, his voice trembling with rage and despair:
"That's impossible! She was fine earlier! She never showed any signs of illness!"
Katrina stepped forward, tears in her eyes.
"He's right! She was in perfect health just a few hours ago!"
The healer shook his head sadly.
"I don't know how it happened, but her blood is infected with an extremely powerful bacteria. I've done everything I can… There is no known cure."
Katrina covered her mouth in horror.
"What exactly are you saying?!"
"I'll be honest… Miria doesn't have much time left."
Shock hit everyone like a dagger. Asher, eyes wild, grabbed the healer by the collar, desperate.
"No! You have to find a solution! There must be one! You can't just give up like this! Keep looking, search all your books, everything you have! She can't die!"
His voice cracked, refusing to hear any answer. The healer tried to speak, but Asher wouldn't let him, panicked and enraged.
Suddenly, a weak voice rose from the bed:
"Asher…"
Everyone turned to Miria. She had just opened her eyes. Asher immediately released the healer and rushed to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed. He took her trembling hand in his, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Miria… are you okay?"
She gave him a soft, tired smile, then turned her gaze to the healer.
"Thank you… for everything you've done. You can leave us now."
Once the healer had left, Miria tried to sit up with difficulty. Asher helped her, his heart aching.
"Listen… it's not his fault. He's telling the truth. I don't have much time left."
Diana frowned, her voice hoarse.
"And you knew?"
"Yes."
Asher panicked, gripping her hand tighter.
"But why didn't you tell us?!"
Miria answered in a weak but calm and reassuring voice:
"I wasn't sick before… Remember when you rescued me? Right after, I was bitten by a vampire."
Alix nodded.
"Yes… what does that have to do with it?"
"I knew that vampire. Among the torture devices Vareck showed me… he was there. Vareck said that when he was still human, he suffered from an incurable blood infection. That's why he became a vampire. But even after, his blood remained poisoned… a deadly poison for anyone who receives it."
Kira paled.
"So when he bit you… he infected you."
A heavy silence filled the room. Panic began to rise.
Marlie, frantic, exclaimed:
"But there must be a solution! Right?!"
Miria shook her head sadly.
"No… no cure. Even medicine won't change anything."
Everyone lowered their heads, overwhelmed by melancholy and despair. Then Miria murmured:
"Unless…"
Asher immediately lifted his head, filled with fragile hope.
"Unless what?"
Miria hesitated, biting her lip, then whispered:
"If you turn me into a vampire."
A collective shock ran through the room. Asher abruptly pulled his hand away, eyes wide with anger and pain.
"Do you even realize what you're saying?!"
"Asher… it's the only solution. That vampire became what he is because there was no other remedy. Vareck knew it perfectly well."
Asher shook his head, incredulous, his voice broken.
"I refuse to believe that… No. I refuse."
With those words, he stood up abruptly and left the room, slamming the door behind him. The silence that followed was heartbreaking, filled with melancholy and a drama that was only just beginning.