Page 18 of Claim the Twilight
The voice in my head was feminine but of a deep timbre.
“You’re a part me. A new part. We…we belong together.”
The shadow me nodded, then her voice filled my head again. Yes. Always together. Bound.Her crimson eyes lit up. Always bound.
“Yes, we’ll always be together, always be bound. I was afraid…confused.”
Yes…confused and afraid and…angry…The glow in her eyes pulsed.Not angry now.
“No. I’m ready now. Ready to be reborn. Will you have me?”
The thing that was me stood slowly. A thrill shot through me because it was taller, broader, more powerfully built, and yet it was me.
My new nature. My potential.
Mine to claim.
I bridged the distance between us and wrapped my arms around it.
Chapter 8
EZEKIEL
Ingrid falls back on her haunches, her form flickering and then going transparent. “I…I lost connection.”
“But you spoke to her?” Hemlock asks.
“Yes. I urged her to find a way out. To wake up and take control.”
“Does she remember what happened?”
“No. Not yet, but I sensed she was close. Orina is smart. She’ll figure out what’s going on. We’ve done all that we can. The rest is up to her. I need to recharge,” Ingrid says, fading away.
“Dammit, Orina. Wake up,” Hemlock says.
He’s a mess, hair sticking up all over the place from being raked through, dark smudges beneath his eyes, clothes rumpled. When’s the last time he slept?
My time in the vista has allowed my body respite, but Hemlock has spent all his time watching over Orina and me. I can only imagine the extent of his exhaustion.
I cup his shoulder and squeeze gently. “Go get some sleep.”
“What?” He looks at me as if I’ve asked him to go fuck himself.
“Hemlock, you need rest.”
He shrugs me off. “What Ineedis for Orina to wake up and be herself again.”
“I know. And when she does, she’ll need us by her side, recharged and ready for whatever comes.”
He shakes his head. “I can’t sleep. Not now. Not while she’s…” He swallows hard and shakes his head as if to dispel unwanted thoughts. “I can’t.”
“Fine. But you can go lie down. Rest even if sleep refuses to come. For Orina. You know I’m right.”
His jaw flexes, and I’m ready to push him further when he lets out a trembling exhale. “I’ll take an hour.”
“Take as long as you need. If Orina shows signs of waking, then I’ll summon you. I swear it.”
He rubs a hand over his face and nods. “Okay. Okay…”
