Page 7 of Faerie Hunted

She and Coral hated each other. It was totally understandable, considering Coral was just about the most offensive person I’d ever met.

At least until I got to know her.

“Add it to the list,” I told Bronwen, sighing. “And I’m sorry, again. For leaving you high and dry.”

I’d chosen not to go on patrol with Bronwen. And my mentor, Onyx, attacked. He was killing pure-blooded fae, and although he’d been controlled by magic…that didn’t make up for what happened.

Or the part I played in how it all went down.

Shame shriveled my insides.

“You almost died because of me,” I added when she stayed silent.

Bronwen shrugged, her lips pouted. “Yeah, well, I don’t fear death, so don’t worry about it. If this life ends then I’ll just do my best to enjoy the next one. At least I know there’s another chance waiting for me.”

I swallowed over a chuckle. “Yeah, sure.”

Bronwen leaned forward. “No, I’m serious,” she insisted.

“What do you mean, the next one? There’s only one life. Don’t we have to make the most of this one?”

“It’s the old myths, Tavi.” She leaned in further and crooked a finger for me to come closer.

Which, as I found out, was pretty much impossible. “What old myths?”

“Come on, don’t tell me your uncle never told you about the old reincarnation myths? Every pup right out of the nest knows about the second life of shifters.”

“If he did, then I’m drawing a blank,” I admitted. “Want to explain them to a poor invalid laid up in bed?” Yup, that was the card I played.

“So, ancient shifters believed that even an ounce of shifter blood allowed them to reincarnate into another life after death if they wanted to. Which means we get another shot at this whole thing. Another go-around. It’s awesome to think about, isn’t it?” She sat back in the chair with a shrug. “Either way, I’m putting off this call. Let me go have a little chat with the devil herself.”

Bronwen left to call Coral, and at once the burning in my arm ratcheted up a notch, as if acknowledging it somehow made it worse.

Reincarnation, huh?

It sounded like something people made up to excuse their poor decisions and bad judgment in this life. I wasn’t sure I believed in it. I’d seen some incredible things, but that?

If we got another shot at life, it meant— A swell of pain cut off that line of thinking.

Sleep wasn’t easy but it took me under a few times. I remembered waking up woozy once or twice whenever a nurse came to check my vitals.

Each time, the pain tickled the edges of my awareness before the dizziness got worse and I drifted again.

The sensation left me with no choice. I couldn’t have fought sleep even if I wanted to. Eventually I floated back to reality, the din of voices in the room distant and foggy.

I shifted against the pillows at my back.

“None of the treatments are working,” someone said. “I’m not sure what other options are left for us to explore.”

“There has to be something you can do, Doctor. Please. She’s very important.”

The second voice was feminine and low, familiar in a way that tugged at the rusty processes in my brain.

Selene Montrosse.

She led the Claw & Fang. So it made sense for her to be here, but how much time had passed since I’d been brought in?

I struggled to sit up straighter to try and catch a glimpse of the two but failed miserably.

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