Page 39 of Witch Unbound
He frowned and looked right through me.
“Jasper, I’m here.” I slammed a fist into the barrier, making it quake. “Dammit, Jasper. Please.” A sob caught in my throat because he was so close, so fucking close that I could have touched him.
“Cora?” He moved closer to the barrier, his attention somewhere over my head.
“Jasper, yes. Down here. Jasper.” I slapped the air with my palm. “Babe, come on. I’m here. I’m—”
Fire sliced into my torso, stealing my breath. I looked down at the teeth buried in my body, then back up at Jasper, and for a moment, for a split second, our gazes locked.
“Jasper…” The word was a gurgle as blood filled my mouth, and then I was being yanked away from him.
* * *
JASPER
“Jasper!”
Cora? She’s here. How is she here?
I break into a run, weaving through the trees toward her voice.
“Jasper!”
“I’m coming.” I jump in the direction of her voice and find myself at the other edge of the forest. A sandy expanse lies beyond, serene and silent.
Wait…I can sense her. I can sense she was here. I take a step forward, but I’m thrown back onto my ass.
The air shimmers in front of me. A barrier. A shield of some kind?
I pull myself up and reach out to it. Needles prick my skin, fiery and painful. Okay, this way is a no-go, it seems. Wait, what is that on the horizon beyond the barrier? A figure? It winks out. My imagination. There’s nothing here, so why can’t I leave? Why do I feel she’s close? I scan the terrain again. What am I missing?
The conviction she’s nearby rises like a wave, then bottoms out. Gone.
Frustration and anger churn inside me. “Fuck.” My spine prickles and my scalp tightens in awareness. The presence is back.
It’s watching me.
Listening.
Playing.
The rage I should feel doesn’t come. I’m exhausted. Drained. Done. I want out and I don’t care what I have to say to get it.
I turn back to the forest. “Let me go. Please.”
It hurts to plead. But I’m spent. I just want to be with Cora. “Let me be with her.”
Warm light kisses my cheek, and I look up at the glowing doorway in front of me.
“Jasper? Jasper!”
Cora’s voice drifts out toward me. She’s calling me. Looking for me. There is no hesitation. I rush into the light.
* * *
RUNE
I tuck Wren into bed and then wander back downstairs just as the guys enter the lounge. Tor glances around the room and then looks at me questioningly.
