Page 23 of Anders
Other children.Some older, some younger.All with that same lost look in their eyes.
Where’s my mama?
I want to go home!
Please, it hurts!
One by one, they disappeared.
Placement successful,the cold voices said.Memory suppression holding.
A beast inside her surged forward, howling in rage and grief.
CHAPTER 6
ANDERS!
Etta’s scream cut through the late afternoon, echoing across the sidewalk Anders stood on and through his very bones.
She needs me.
The analytical part of his mind clocked the fact that the door to the newspaper office was unlocked—and it was a good thing, too, because Anders had no doubt he would have ripped it off its hinges.
Or broken straight through the glass.
Whatever it took to get to his mate.
Once inside, it took him only seconds to orient himself to her tortured scent, the sound of her agonized sobs.
Downstairs.
He’d forgotten this building even had a basement.
What the hell kind of guardian forgot such a basic detail?
He raced down the stairs, where he found Etta collapsed on the floor.
Anders dropped to his knees beside Etta’s convulsing form, his tactical training taking over as he assessed her condition.
Her body jerked violently against the concrete floor, her white-blonde hair splayed in stark contrast against the dusty surface.The scent of her distress—sharp and acrid—filled his nostrils, making his wolf howl in protective fury.
Her eyes were rolled back, showing only whites.The convulsions were getting worse, her head dangerously close to striking the metal shelving unit.
Anders moved quickly, sliding his arm beneath her neck to cushion it while using his other hand to check her airways.Her pulse raced beneath his fingertips, far too fast even for a shifter.
Etta,he called, keeping his voice steady despite the panic clawing at his chest.I need you to focus on my voice.
She didn’t respond.
Stay with me,he murmured, cradling her head.His training told him not to restrain someone having a seizure, but he couldn’t risk her injuring herself further.
Time stretched, each second feeling like an eternity as he monitored her vital signs.The rational part of his mind cataloged symptoms, calculating possible scenarios and appropriate responses.
The wolf part—the part he was currently trying desperately to suppress—whined in distress, urging him to gather his mate close and protect her from whatever was causing her pain.
Gradually, mercifully, the convulsions began to subside.Etta’s breathing evened out, though it remained shallow.Her eyelids fluttered.
That’s it,Anders encouraged, relief washing through him.Come back to me.
