Page 83 of When Storms Ruin

Isaac stood, searching the surrounding buildings until his gaze landed on one further down the street. He nodded to himself, turning to help Zion lift Nik.

“Where are we going?” I asked, stepping back so they could lift him, but reaching for Nik’s hand.

Hiscoldhand.

“I had a friend who lived in this district. She married a doctor. They should have some supplies in their house to stop this bleeding until we can find Liss,” Isaac replied tightly.

I nodded, following them down the street through the smoke, away from the wreckage and into the darkness.

I swallowed back salty tears, my throat thick.

Where was Liss? Saanvi? Kenna? Warrick? I almost emptied the contents of my stomach when the thought hit me—that Liss might not have made it through the battle at all. That she might be dead.

Isaac shouldered open the doorway, and I had to let go of Nik’s hand as we passed through. Tess and Puck were close on my heels. Isaac and Zion laid Nik across a table in the dining room, and I helped shove everything from the table onto the floor.

Nik grunted as he tried to sit up, and I took that as a good sign…that he had enough energy to even try. I remained at his side, his hand in mine as Isaac sent Zion and Puck to search for Liss. Tess clasped my shoulder with her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

My eyes met hers, and they were filled with unshed tears.

I shook my head, turning back towards Nik.

“He’s going to be fine.” I shook my head again. As if I could will it into existence. “He has to.”

“Firecracker.” His voice was hoarse, and as he coughed, he spat up more blood. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, it can wait. You need to save your strength right now,” I told him, a faux smile gracing my lips as I glanced down at him.

I blinked, and a tear escaped my eye, landing on his cheek and rolling off. It left a trail through the dried blood in its wake.

“You don’t understand,” his voice was quiet as he struggled to keep his eyesopen, trained on me.

“I don’t need to. Shhh. You need to keep your strength.” I pushed the hair back, out of his face.

“Diana—” His voice cut off as a coughing fit took him, his whole body racking with the effort.

The blood was seeping from his wound at an alarming rate and Tess had found towels for us to press against it in an attempt to slow or staunch the bleeding. He was pale, his pulse slow and thready.

I gave his hand a squeeze as he closed his eyes.

“Nik?”

Nothing.

“Nik, can you hear me?” My voice was fragile and broke as if it were glass as I tried to force it out.

Nothing.

“God dammit, Nikolai, squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”

Nothing.

My eyes flew to Tess’ and she had her hand on his wrist, her expression grim.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No, he is going to be fine. I can’t lose him. I won’t. Nik? Nik, can you hear me?”

Nothing.

He couldn’t be. He just couldn’t be.

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