Page 100 of Damned and Broken Gods
He sucked in a breath, his eyes snapping open for a beat, but his gaze was glazed, and he sank back into unconsciousness.
“Why isn’t he waking up?” I pressed my palm onto his chest harder, but the glow flickered and went out, and my muscles trembled with sudden weakness. I sagged, tears blurring my vision.
“Wait.” Keyton crouched and lightly touched Araz’s cheek then checked his pulse. He nodded. “His pulse is strong. His skin has warmth. He will survive if we can get him back to the island and treat his wounds quickly.”
“He was wounded by a revenant,” Vick said. “Doesn’t that mean that he’ll?—”
“Drohi do not turn,” Keyton snapped. “But we can die. We need to get back fast.”
“Rajnanga doesn’t look like he’s in any shape to go anywhere fast,” Vick said. “He’s pretty beat up.”
The wound in Araz’s side was still bleeding. I tore off my shirt and pressed it to his abdomen. “I need something to wrap it tightly.”
“Rope!” Vick grabbed some and brought it over, and we set to work, binding the wound the best we could.
But binding wouldn’t do much if we didn’t start moving soon. I left Araz and hurried to the bow where Rajnanga’s head bobbed just above water. Blood dripped from the many lacerations to his neck and head. He cracked open an eye and looked at me, inky pupils reflecting my desperate expression. A low moan rattled his frame. An apology. A plea.
My heart squeezed. “Oh…Rajnanga, I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry.” He’d trusted us and slumbered, and we’d steered him into danger.
A sonic wail filled the air.
“Shattiraksha!” Vick yelled. “Two of them.”
Two Shattiraksha were indeed headed our way, both loaded with drohi warriors, and upfront was Bhartina, her hair flying behind her like a flag.
Help was here, in time for Araz and Rajnanga but not for Priti.
Keyton’s and Vick’s faces echoed my thoughts.
Keyton’s lip trembled, but he set his jaw and crouched to pick up Araz and then looked at me. “Let’s get you to safety.”
Chapter 35
If I Lose You Now…
LEELA
“Leela?”
I sat up sharply, my eyes blurring before they could focus. “I’m awake.”
“You need to eat.” Keyton placed a plate on the bedside table. “Please.”
My gaze went to Araz. Still unconscious. Still healing. Still alive.
I shifted in the armchair, my home for the past two days as I watched over him. The revenant that had attacked him was a rare one, and its nares carried a venom that his system was working hard to detox. If he didn’t wake soon, it meant he might never wake, and I couldn’t…I just couldn’t deal with that.
“Leela…” Keyton tapped my shoulder. “Food.”
I looked up at him, into a face etched in lines of pain, and my eyes brimmed. “Keyton…”
His lip trembled, and he turned away, taking several breaths to compose himself. “Please eat,” he said hoarsely.
He’d been my silent companion for the last two days. Checking in frequently with tea and snacks, plates that he’d taken away because my stomach revolted at the sight of food. I was about to decline, but then I glanced up at him, at the dark smudges beneath his eyes and the pallor of his skin. When was the last time he ate? Oh god, I was such a selfish bitch. I’d lost my friend, but he’d lost his bond mate. Grief was a self-centered bitch indeed.
I smiled up at him. “I’ll eat but only if you eat with me.”
His throat bobbed. “Very well.”
