Page 56 of Detonation
My fingers tighten around her throat without my doing, enough that her eyes begin to show fear, her mouth opening to try to protest but she can’t drag in the breath to get any words out.
No, no, no. Why can't I stop?
Assert your dominance.
She tries to buck me off but my hand only tightens, crushing her airways and her face flushes a bright red as she suffocates. I move my other hand to my wrist, trying to pry my hand off her with all my strength, the skin rubbing raw at how hard I tug, but to no avail.
I scream for help, for my brothers.Someone help me!
Tingles run down my neck as Lana begins to go lax, her consciousness beginning to fade from the lack of oxygen. Tears stream down my face at seeing my mate's life end by my hand.
Make this stop! Please!
I plead with her as tears blur my vision. “No. No, Lana! No! Stay with me, little one, stay with me, please …” I trail off, a scream tearing from my throat as I realize she’s gone. Finally, my hand uncurls itself from her neck but it’s too late. It’s too late. It’s too late. I killed her. I grab her lax body, pulling it to me, cradling her, rocking back and forth, yelling for help. “Please! Someone help!”
My hand cups her face and my tears fall onto her face as her lifeless eyes stare up at me.
Hello, Hale. My name is Erebus. It's a pleasure to meet you.
I jolt awake like someone dumped a bucket of ice on me and gasp for air. The dark witch’s words echo in my mind.The next step is the paralyzing fear you'll feel at night as you come to realize that you're helpless to his whims. He is everywhere.
No. It was just a dream.
Chapter Eighteen
Lana
A gentle shake of my shoulder has me bolting up but excruciating pain flares in my shoulders as my chains yank me back down. My breath wooshes out of me as I fall back onto the bed, my heartbeat fluttering a million miles a minute, eyes wide, staring up at the ceiling.
“I will try a different way of waking you up in the future, dear. That looked painful. Are you okay?
Liviana’s soothing tone allows my chest to loosen enough to take in a few gasping breaths.
It’s just Livi.
I feel my shackles fall away one by one she makes her way around the bed. and I take those few moments to calm my heart.
Sitting up, I rub my shoulders and look to Livi, who’s staring open-mouthed at my feet.
“I know. The wounds and stitching are probably hideous but at least I don’t have hobbit feet,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
Her hands fly to her mouth. “No, Your Highness. They are ... they’re healed,” she whispers.
Wait, what?
I move one foot in towards me and take in the smooth skin. I run my fingers against it, feeling no scars, before looking up at Liviana. “How?”
She drops her hands and shakes her head slightly. “I have no idea, my dear.” Bustling over to my side, she grabs her kit of supplies, walking back towards my feet with bandages in hand.
“Why are you—”
She cuts me off with a stern look and raises her finger to her lips. I sit in silence as she wraps my feet up like they’re still injured.
On one of my sitting chairs, a light green tunic sits. She ushers me out of bed to help me out of the dress I slept in and into a clean one.
Livi guides me to the vanity and makes quick work of my knotted curls, weaving the strands into a French braid down my back. She leans down to whisper in my ear, “You must act like you are still wounded. There are two guards stationed outside of your door at all times.”
I meet her eyes in the mirror and nod before raising my voice so it carries outside. “Take me to the doctor for my treatment and prepare a bath for my return.”
