Page 42 of Sweet Giant

Chapter35

LIV

It happened so fast.

One second, I was in Mastorr’s arms, and the next second, I was underneath him on the ground as blaster fire rang out. Mountain had ordered him killed, and Mastorr was using his body to shield me, curling himself over me but not putting his full weight on me.

Mastorr growled and grunted with each shot, and I immediately placed my palms on his stomach and concentrated, desperate to heal him.

Kill the Sasquatch. Coldness gripped me when I recalled Mountain’s order.

Despite the hopelessness of the situation—there had to be at least forty soldiers surrounding us—I couldn’t give up.

So, I kept healing Mastorr. Over and over.

Fatigue descended upon me, but I didn’t slow my pace. I didn’t care how sick or exhausted I was becoming. I couldn’t fathom the idea of Mastorr getting seriously wounded or worse. For as long as I remained conscious, I would keep healing the kindhearted male who’d taught me how to love again.

Yes, I loved him. I wouldn’t fight the feelings I harbored for Mastorr any longer. I only hoped we survived so I could tell him how I really felt.

His body jerked each time the blaster fire hit him. I could only imagine the terrible pain he was enduring. I shut my eyes and focused harder, sensing the injuries that were afflicting him and trying to heal them as soon as they appeared. He’d been hit all over his body. Even in the back of his head.

Finally, the blaster fire paused. I placed a hand over Mastorr’s heart and healed his most recent wounds—five scorch marks on his back, and three on his right leg. He inhaled a shuddering breath, and I opened my eyes, wishing I could see what was going on, but I was still shielded by his body, pressed into the cold snow.

“Are you fucking healing him, Liv?” Mountain roared. “Jesus fucking Christ, you stupid bitch. Stop wasting your healing energies on him! You need to get back to work in Seattle!”

Mastorr tensed and growled, and I knew he wanted to rip Mountain’s throat out. I knew the only reason Mastorr wasn’t lunging for my ex was because he didn’t want to leave me unprotected.

My fear increased when I heard Mountain conferring with his soldiers, but they were speaking so quietly that I couldn’t discern their words. The longer they conversed, the lower my stomach dropped.

A deafening blast echoed on the mountainside, and Mastorr was suddenly thrown off me. Or shot off me. I couldn’t be certain. I struggled to breathe and see clearly through the thick cloud of smoke.

I crawled forward and searched for him, reaching my arm out in all directions in hopes of touching his fur. “Mastorr! Mastorr, where are you! Say something!”

Oh God. He didn’t reply. I didn’t hear him groaning or growling either. Nor could I smell him. How far away was he? What the hell kind of weapon had they used on him?

A dark thought struck me. What if… what if he wasn’t breathing?

“Mastorr!” I jumped to my feet and continued my search through the thick smoke, only to be grabbed hard by a soldier. I kicked and screamed as I was dragged away.

“Give her to me.” Mountain’s deep, imperious voice sent icy chills through me.

The smoke cleared a little, and I was thrust into my ex’s arms.

No. No no no.This couldn’t be happening.

Mountain’s fingers dug into my flesh as he dragged me toward a hovercraft. I tried to twist out of his grip, but my efforts proved futile, and I soon found myself in a small bedroom aboard the vessel. The door slid shut behind us and my panic deepened.

Mastorr. Please be okay.

I prayed he’d somehow survived and was hiding in the forest nearby. Maybe his people would find him and bring him back to the cavern, where a Montikaan touch healer could help him.

Regret welled in my heart. I couldn’t bear the thought of him dying. If he perished, it would be my fault. I could’ve listened to Frankie’s advice and left the planet… I could’ve signed up for VAMOB and married a Vaxxlian warrior instead of insisting on remaining on Earth. I wouldn’t be with Mastorr—I would have never met him—but at least he would be alive and well.

When Mountain released me, I collapsed on the floor. My efforts to heal Mastorr had drained nearly all my energy. I’d lost count of how many times he’d been shot.

“Please let me save him,” I said, peering into Mountain’s frigid blue gaze as he loomed over me. “If-if you let me heal him and you let him go free, I will come with you and do whatever you want.” Nausea built in my throat. I felt like I was offering my soul to the devil himself. But I would do it. If it meant Mastorr would live, I would do it.

Mountain chuckled. “Interesting. So, you actually care about the beast? Tsk tsk. You’re a married woman, Liv. Have you fucked him? Have you committed adultery?”

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