Page 31 of Spirit Rites
They both snap out of it and hurry over to me. “Who are you, and what did you to our friend?” Farrah asks.
“I was trying to set the record straight.” The world tilts a little, and I take a step to straighten out.
“Might make a better impact if you don’t faint,” Harper says dryly.
I try to scowl at her, but I can’t seem to manage it. “Kinsley?” I hear Farrah’s voice, but it feels far away. The world tilts again, and I feel hands on me.
I hear a gasp. “Kinsley, you’re bleeding. Rysden! Hector!”
Somebody catches me when my knees give out, and the world spins again as I’m lifted. I hear everybody’s voices, but they come from far away. “She’s bleeding on both sides.” Somebody lifts my arm, and a cry is wrenched from my lips.
“Easy, Young One.” I recognize Hector’s voice. I fade in and out of it, never quite drifting into unconsciousness. After a littlewhile, the busyness around me finally settles. It gets quiet, and I really want to go to sleep. I’m having a hard time staying awake, but I need to know.
I search for a familiar face. Harper sees my gaze, and she walks over to me. “What do you need?”
“How is he?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “He hasn’t woken up yet.”
“Is the man with the antidote back yet?”
She shakes her head, and I fight the sense of despair that comes over me. “You need to rest, Kinsley. I’m not sure what all you went through.” She glances over her shoulder again. “What all youbothwent through, but your body needs rest and healing.”
I feel a tear drip down my cheek. Harper's eyes track it, and she stares at me. “What’s wrong?”
Weariness overcomes me. I don’t even really know. My entire body hurts, and I feel alone and defeated. Something pushes next to my body, and I groan in pain. But when I feel course fur brush my hand, I don’t regret it.Rest now, Bonded One.
I can’t. Not until I know Kaldar is okay.
Your mate is stable. Jespar will keep him that way until an antidote comes. Now rest and let your body heal. I will wake you when he wakes up.
Really?
There’s a pause.You doubt my word?
No. Sorry. I’m just really...I can’t even seem to find the words I need.
Rest now.
I try to keep my eyes open, but it’s a losing battle. “Kinsley,” I hear somebody say, but I don’t get a chance to respond. Exhaustion pulls me into a deep sleep.
Sometime later, something nudges me, and I ignore it, trying to go back to sleep.Your mate is awake.
My eyes fly open, and I start to sit up. I notice right away that my sides are much better; I have a feeling I have Veyra to thank for that. My wrist aches, but it’s not as painful as it was. “Kinsley, are you in pain?” Farrah puts a gentle hand on my back. “I can get more of Hector’s pain reliever for you.”
“I need to see him.” My voice is hoarse, and I cough to clear it.
Farrah doesn’t even question it. “Okay. Let’s get you up on your feet.” She puts a hand behind my back and helps me stand. My sides scream at me, and my arm is a continual throb; but I try not to think about it. I just need to get downstairs.
The door to my room opens, and Rysden steps inside and gives me a calculating onceover. “I was coming to tell you that he’s awake, but you already know.”
I nod at Veyra. “She told me.” He nods, unsurprised.
He eyes meet me a moment. “Do you want me to carry you down the stairs?”
Farrah’s face is full of concern. “Maybe he should, Kins. Your sides are still healing, and your arm is a mess.”
“I’m okay.” An urgency to see Kaldar and make sure he’s actually okay thrums through me, and the adrenaline helps the pain to fade. We make our way out into the hallway and then down the stairs. When we get to the bottom, I take an extra second to try to catch my breath before I keep moving. When I step into the main gathering area, I hear a voice I would recognize anywhere.
