Vanity and Vows

Kaelen’s POV

The heat radiating from the clinic’s baseboards did nothing to chase the chill from my bones. Dr. Gareth sat across his desk, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a heavy exhale. His face was lined with a mix of exhaustion and grim urgency.

“We’re running out of time,” he stated, keeping his voice strictly professional but firm. “Elder Mercer’s condition demands round-