chapter 63

Macey Seven eggs later and one finally stuck! The joy I felt when we found out our baby made it past what they considered the safe date was overwhelming. Zoe was devastated each time; just as devastated as me. Some part of my mind thought it just wasn’t meant to be, that Carter had ruined every chance I had once he marked me—the venom of his bite had serious ramifications. I can’t even try to use my own eggs. The city scientists managed to scramble and find a safe vaccine, thanks to Valen’s genetic mutation—he’s an anomaly and so is Valarian, entirely immune to the effects of the venom—yet for me, the damage is done. Every year for the rest of my life I will need the vaccine to keep from turning forsaken. Things could have been worse, I suppose; I could be dead, just like Emily, and all the others who were infected. Tatum is also subjected to yearly vaccinations too. Last year, our lives were turned upside down, but one thing we’re good at is rebuilding; and each time we do, our founda