Abhimanyu had noticed Kiara trembling. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to tell her not to be afraid. But he held himself back, worried that he might make her uncomfortable.

Just then, his gaze fell on her hands. The blood around her fingers and nails had dried, turning a deep, dark red. Quietly, he got up, poured some water into a glass, and soaked his clean handkerchief in it. Sitting back beside her on the sofa, he gently took her hands into his.