Page 75 of Crossing Between
I moved to kneel in front of Zoey, taking her cold hands in mine. Her skin felt like ice, and her pulse fluttered rapidly beneath my fingertips.
"Kærasta," I used the endearment that had become so natural. "Look at me."
Her eyes slowly focused on mine, and I felt a tug in my chest at the fear I saw there.
"That's it," I encouraged, letting my healing magic flow from my palms into hers. "Just breathe with me."
As our magic mingled, her Soulbinder energy and my Kraken healing, I felt the familiar connection spark between us. The mark on her side seemed to pulse in response, and gradually, color returned to her cheeks.
"There you are," I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Stay with us, Zoey. We'll figure this out together."
She nodded slightly, her breathing steadier now. I squeezed her hands once more before rising to my feet.
Next, I turned to Kenji, who looked readyto put his fist through a wall, or worse, hunt down the Essencefeaster himself in his current state.
I stepped directly into his space, placed my hands on either side of his face, and kissed him firmly on the mouth.
His body went rigid with surprise before melting against mine. The heat emanating from his skin cooled noticeably as I deepened the kiss, pouring calm into him through my magic.
When I pulled back, his eyes had lost their murderous gleam, replaced by something softer.
"Better?" A smile twitched at my lips.
He nodded, his smile returned. "Your bedside manner is exceptional, Doc."
"Save it for later," I gave a wink and patted his chest before moving on.
Varon had remained unnervingly still, his ancient vampire nature having taken over. I'd seen this before, when threatened, Varon retreated into the cold, calculating predator who had survived centuries.
I approached him carefully, knowing words alone wouldn't reach him in this state. Without hesitation, I bit into my own wrist, breaking the skin and letting my Kraken-infused blood well to the surface.
I pressed my bleeding wrist to Varon's lips. "Drink," I commanded.
For a moment, he remained unmoving. Then, instinct took over, and his cool lips fastened onto my wrist. He took several deep pulls, his eyes gradually clearing as my blood, powerful in its own right, brought him back from the edge.
When he released my wrist, the wound already healing, awareness had returned to his eyes.
"Thank you," he sighed.
I nodded, squeezed his shoulder once before I turnedto Quilith.
The dragon looked moments away from collapse. I slipped an arm around their waist and supported their weight.
"I'm putting Quilith to bed," I announced to the room. "They need rest. We'll reconvene in an hour to discuss our next steps."
No one objected as I guided Quilith from the room. In the hallway, they sagged against me more heavily.
"You pushed yourself too hard," I chided gently as we made our way to one of Varon's guest rooms.
"Had to know," they mumbled. "For Zoey's sake."
I helped them onto the bed, removing their ornate outer robes and pulling a blanket over their exhausted form.
"Rest now," my healer's magic washed over them in a soothing wave. "We'll handle things from here."
Quilith was asleep before I reached the door.
When I returned to the sitting room, I paused in the doorway, taking in the scene before me. Varon sat on the couch with Zoey cradled in his lap, her head tucked beneath his chin. Kenji knelt before them, his arms encircling them both, his forehead resting against Zoey's knee.
