Page 124 of Centaur Bolt

My pulse increased. Once again, I was trapped in another’s form—I had no control over anything. This time, clearly a male. Furthermore, the red scales seemed familiar—could it be Havoc?

The head turned, and I caught a glimpse of what walked behind me. A petite, feminine form with long dark hair and eyes that glinted green.

Riley. How had she joined them? Or was this really just a dream?

Marcus followed her. The glimpse I caught of him—he looked awful, with a heavily bruised shoulder. My fingers itched to heal him.

Havoc was intensely aware of both of them, but particularly Riley. He inhaled as he walked, and the scent in the air stiffened every fiber of him. Downright seductive.

Why did she smell like that? More intoxicating, even, than a Satyr. It made me want her, too—I ached to touch her. Be inside her. I could tell Havoc felt the same.

My mind buzzed with questions. Where were they? Did this mean they were still free? Why was I connected to them?

Was it only a dream? Yet, it seemed so real.

I wanted to be there. Needed to be there.

The concept stopped me cold. It was so powerful—I shook with it. We belonged together.

I snapped awake. Stared up at the carved stone blocks above my head. Was the link between us real? Suddenly, I was terrified. What if Isobel could use me to track them?

I must bury this as deep as I could. It was the only way they could be safe. Besides, much as I longed to be with them, I knew it could never be.

Because I was destined to die here.

My only comfort—if I were very lucky, Fate would smile, and I’d be able to take those that deserved it down with me.

41

Riley

I’d had many colds over the course of my life. The flu a few times. Mono once.

I’d never felt like this.

If this was due to absorbing Vali’s cycle, I admired her ability to deal with it. Because it was almost taking me out.

Everything functioned. But the legs carrying me along the path shook with each step. My head didn’t so much ache, as expand beyond my skull, my senses far more acute than usual. And my entire bodyburned.

At least I had the crystal dust that Havoc had given me. I tucked one roll into my pocket and gulped down the contents of the other one, licking the last grains off the leaf. The tingle spread through me, followed by a flush of heat that almost took me out at the knees.

As I walked, I found myself fascinated by the play of muscle beneath the scales of Havoc’s back and butt.

Wow, that butt.

I ripped my eyes upward to focus elsewhere. Tripped over a root, and a strong arm grabbed my elbow to steady me.

I turned toward Marcus—he was right there, so close I breathed his air. I teetered on the edge of plastering myself to that tall, semi-clad form. Looked up into eyes that flashed silver, before washing over with an indigo so deep it rivaled the sky at night.

Of course, it was daytime. Which only provided contrast.

“Keep moving,” snarled Havoc from the head of the line.

I looked down at the hand holding my elbow. In time to see black scales race up the arm.

Marcus released me as though he’d been scorched, but I saw his nostrils flare as he inhaled.

“He’s right,” he murmured. “We have to keep moving.”

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