Chapter 17

William played the recording of our phone conversation for Eric, each word falling like stones into still water. When my voice came through the speakers – cold, indifferent, completely devoid of the love that had once defined our bond – Eric finally understood the magnitude of what he'd lost. "She doesn't care if I live or die," he whispered, his voice breaking on the last word. William placed a weathered hand on Eric's head, feeling the fever that was slowly consuming his former student....