Once more, I whimper softly as he swings his arm down at my head. I let myself sink into his green gaze and take one last breath of his birch scent before shutting my eyes.
“Cameron, please wake up.”
Whack.
34
CAMERON
Cameron, please wake up.”
I blink and grip my head as Emery talks sweetly to me.
Why am I cold and sweaty? I try to focus my eyes, blurry at first, and then I see the forest surrounding me. What the fuck? I glance down and my entire body stiffens.
“Em?”
Her head is resting on its side, a bloodied circle on her left temple. Blood slipping from her chest and coating the snow. She looks so pale. Tears are sprinkled over her cheeks. Her pink braids are dotted with red, and she’s all cut up like she’s been in a vicious fight. A weight burdens my chest, and my eyes widen with horror.
What happened? Who fucking did this?
My right hand feels heavy.
Not as heavy as my heart.
I hesitantly glance down at my hand and find a rock with blood on one side of it.Hers. A sickening nausea rolls through me, making my legs tremble and my shoulders tense.
No. This isn’t real.I shut my eyes, and after a moment, reopen them.
She’s still lying motionless beneath me.
“No. No, I-I would never,” I stammer, tears welling in my eyes as I desperately reach for her face. I stop myself before I can touch her. “No no no no no!” I scream, bashing the side of my head with the same rock until hot liquid spills down my jaw. Why did I do this?You’re a wicked thing. You need to be purged.Familiar words spiral in my head. “Emery. Em,please,” I cry, my voice gravelly and broken. I drop the rock, realizing I’m still seated on her torso.
I quickly move off her and delicately pick her up, placing her into my lap. Blood trickles down from my head and spatters on her neck. My scarred eye’s vision goes red, and liquid warms my cheek as it falls as fervently as my tears do.
I hesitate to check her pulse, but manage to force my fingers to the soft of her throat. A weak flutter of her artery is enough to shatter what’s left of me.
I crumble as a soldier. Shoulders caving in, I draw her as close to my chest as I can. I cradle her in my arms and press apologetic kisses to her head.
She’s alive, but I did this… I almost killed her.
I’m a fucking monster. There’s nothing good left of me.
Nothing.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Em. I’m so sorry.” My voice trembles with each breath I take. Her breaths are shallow; the small whining in her chest sparks panic inside me. She needs medical attention.
Almost robotically, I carry her back to the bunker. Whispering heartbroken words that I wish I would’ve told her a long time ago.I think I love you.Why didn’t I tell her? I need her.
Adams’s eyes widen when I top the slope and he sees her in my arms, or maybe it’s my bleeding head. I don’t give a shit where I’m hurt. All that matters is her. I walk straight past himand directly to Nolan. The real piece of shit that I have questions for. The last thing I remember was getting the shot.
General Nolan glances at Emery and grins. “Good, you kept her alive.Barely. I’m pleased to announce that you’ve passed your final trial, Mori. Now bring her to the lab if you want to keep your new partner alive.” His dull eyes are careless, though I can tell he’s relieved I didn’t kill her.
Erik closes the distance between us and sets a heavy hand on my shoulder. Rage and concern mix in his gaze as he looks from me to Nolan. “What the fuck is this?” he snaps in a lethal tone.
My grip on her tightens, her tactical jacket slick with melted snow and blood. “You wanted me to do this,” I murmur, staring at General Nolan. A hollowness grows in my chest.
Erik flashes his hostile gaze on Nolan. “What is he talking about?”
