Page 94 of Tethered to the World
And they knew it.
“While the drug gives you a boost, it’s also a poison, and it’s slowly killing you. It was never meant to be consumed. But it’s not too late. I can force the drugs out of your systems.” She ignored Tyson—the man too lost in the euphoria of the drugs to listen—and focused on the others. “I can give you a second chance.”
“She’s lying.” Tyson yelled, spittle flying.
“I can prove it,” she blurted out when a few of the wolves looked doubtful.
Everyone froze.
She tapped the arm wrapped around her neck. “What’s your name?”
“Giles.” His voice was rough…rusty.
“I can—”
“No.” His thumb brushed against her throat in comfort and threat. “You need me here to protect you.”
But she was already shaking her head. She needed him. He was the strongest, the only one she might be able to heal in her weakened state. Annora glanced around at the others, her gaze stopping on Vicki. “If things go wrong and they attack, kill me.”
“My pleasure.” Her smile was all fangs, and she sauntered forward, exchanging places with Giles, her hand resting threateningly at the crook of Annora’s neck.
Dislike radiated from her, and Annora honestly didn’t know what she did to piss her off, but she couldn’t deny that the dislike was mutual.
Blowing out a breath, Annora held out her hand for Giles, praying like hell she knew what she was doing. Her head still ached enough that she wasn’t sure she’d be able to use her powers, much less visit the afterworld.
Not to mention if she vanished, they would slaughter everyone else.
Giles grabbed her hand, grounding her, waiting in front of her without a hint of hesitation. “You can do this.”
There was no doubt in his voice.
“This might feel strange, or it might hurt, but whatever happens, you mustn’t let go.” She squeezed his hand, then winced when she felt the bones grind under his skin. “Understand?”
“Yes.” Instead of pulling away from her hold, he tightened his grip. “Do it. I’m ready.”
Despite what he said, there was no hope in his eyes.
He would eventually heal on his own. A few weeks, possibly months, but he might never regain full alpha status again, possibly never shift again, his beast too damaged and depleted from trying to keep him alive.
She whispered to Vicki over her shoulder. “Stay close, but don’t touch me unless absolutely necessary.”
Vicki rolled her eyes, but did as Annora instructed, cautiously watching the others, her self-preservation instinct kicking in hard.
Annora closed her eyes, closed out the hopelessness she felt from the others. The pressure to do this right or they would all die was crushing.
The inky darkness slowly slithered through her system, but she resisted releasing it, allowing it to build under her skin. She gathered the darkness, allowing a small cloud of mist to gather in the palms of her hands. Praying she knew what she was doing, she placed her palm against Giles’s chest, and the particles exploded like a cloud of flour, the little spores seeming to swim in the air. Unable to avoid it, Giles sucked in a harsh breath, inhaling the dust.
She followed the path of the particles as they infiltrated his body, noting the severe damage—his organs looked dehydrated, his veins and blood vessels constricted, his bones brittle, the smooth edges full of shards. But what amazed her the most was not a speck of black tar she’d come to associate with evil sullied him.
She’d never seen a soul so pure.
Then she was pulled deeper…to a place of darkness where a lone wolf stood guard. He bared his teeth at her, his fangs dripping saliva, the mangy beast so skinny his ribs stood out, the creature at least fifty pounds underweight.
They were both dying, and unless she could slip into the afterworld, there was nothing she could do to siphon off energy from others to give to him.
Then something Logan said about how shifting into his beastly form helped the healing process came back to her. Maybe if she pulled his wolf forward, it would accelerate his healing.
She was gambling with their lives.
