Page 61 of City of the Lost
Dead ... Was I dying?
“No, you’re not going to die. I won’t let you. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
Had I spoken?
Fresh, cold air stung my face.
“Wila, listen. I can’t risk atomic transport when you’re this wounded. It could make things worse. We’re going to have to fly. I need to put you down, and then I’m going to shift. Don’t be frightened.”
He laid me down on the cold, scratchy ground. The sky above was a welcome blanket. The moon ... it was so bright, so large and close. But wait, it was getting darker. Farther away.
“Stay with me.” Valance’s voice was a deep growl scraping over my senses.
“Still here ...”
A gust of air blew over me—icy cold, numbing my skin. Cold ... so cold. What was the shadow? The huge dark shadow with electric-blue eyes and wings that blocked out the moon.
“Oh, God. Please don’t let her die. I can’t lose her, not now that I’ve found her. Don’t die.”
“Don’t want ... die ... better get a move on.”
Surprise tickled the back of my mind and then scales scraped against my skin. Claws scratched earth and I was rising, limp and useless, but cradled in Valance’s huge claws. His wings beat the air and we were rising.
My eyes fluttered closed as my throat throbbed, slow and sluggish. Bleeding. Needed to stop bleeding. Ha, now that would be a trick. Where my platelets at? Coagulate, dammit.
Please do not go insane.
Did dragons speak? Could they speak with those jaws? Did they even have lips to form the words?
Chill seeped into my bones at every point that the air touched it. My abdomen was shielded by Valance’s claws. Dragon form. I wanted to see, but my neck wouldn’t obey my command. It remained floppy, and my eyelids were glued shut.
Dammit! Mother’s sentries. Evasive fucking maneuvers.
We dipped and dove.
Fuck you, fuckers. Here comes the finish line.
The world went black.
14
“—almost healed.” Noir’s voice, confused.
“How?” Valance demanded. “I saw the wounds; they were ... they couldn’t have healed that fast.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Azren’s voice was hoarse. “She survived. She survived Balen.” A calloused hand soothed my brow, and then dry lips brushed my cheek.
“This makes no sense?” Valance’s tone was thick with emotion. “How can she be—”
“I don’t know, but we have to protect her.”
I swallowed to moisten my mouth. “I can protect myself. Should have taken K.”
Noir let out a bark of laughter. “And she awakens.”
I groaned. “She ruined my beautiful dustkicker.” Tears leaked from my eyes, but they were tears born from shock, anger, and relief. Alive—I was alive.
“I’ll get you another,” Noir said. “I’ll get you two.”
