The room seemed to spin.Even though Katy couldn’t see anything, the sensation was there.Then it suddenly seemed that there was a force inside of her, and it was searching for… something.But what?Katy didn’t know.A sharp tug made her gasp, and then something snapped into place.This happened ten times.And with each new connection, Katy felt weaker.Breathing became difficult, and her body seemed heavier.
“What have you done?”she asked when the chanting stopped.The words were lead weights coming out of her mouth.
“I’ve linked your life force to ten other females,” the woman explained.“The magic inside of you that has made you an animus is now being shared with them.You’ve definitely met your mate.There’s already a bond forming.It fought every bond I made.”
Katy could still feel it fighting.It didn’t like sharing the space with these other bonds.It was wrong.Not natural.Katy took a breath, and it seemed like she was lifting bricks as her chest rose and then fell.Azure had been right.With the poison in her system, tying her life to these women would be her death.She could feel it, as if the grim reaper were knocking on her door, beckoning her closer to death’s stoop.
Katy’s consciousness began to slip away.She didn’t want to pass out.She didn’t want to be that vulnerable.You’re tied to a table with your life force tethered to ten other women.Tell me again how you don’t want to be that vulnerable,Katy chastised herself.
“You are a riot,” the woman said.
Had Katy said all that out loud?
“Yep, and you’re still talking.Wish I could stick around and listen.But I’m gonna need rest for this spell.And you?—”
“Don’t point your finger at me, Priestess,” Azure barked.
“You might want to get ready for incoming.If you think Gage isn’t coming for his little wolf, then you’re dumber than you look.”
“I’d like you if you weren’t an evil priestess voodoo bitch trying to kill me,” Katy told the woman.
“Yeah, well, nobody’s perfect.We’re all a work in progress.”
Katy snorted.“You’re a human trafficking murderer.”
“Harsh.”The woman huffed.“Aren’t you going to pass out?”
“Not until you leave.”Katy took slow breaths and tried not to panic when barely any air made it into her lungs.She was going to suffocate to death.No.No, she wasn’t.Gage would come for her.And if he didn’t, Lola would make Callon come save her stupid ass.Katy just had to hold on.One breath after another.
The room was quiet for several minutes before Katy realized she was alone.Or at least the woman and Azure had gone.
“Katy.”Otto’s broken voice reached her, and then she felt him collapse on her stomach, his small body shaking as he sobbed.
Tears burned in her eyes and throat as they ran back, wetting her ears and hair.Her own shoulders trembled as Otto’s emotions seemed to be tethered to hers, and he was jerking on that tether.The harder he cried and pushed against her, the worse Katy felt.Because she made him do this.She’d put him in this position.
“Don’t die.Can’t die,” Otto said, over and over, his head shaking back and forth.“My friend.”Then suddenly, he was gone.
“OTTO,” Katy called out.Something warm touched her neck.He’d changed to his beastwalker form and tucked himself between her neck and the pillow.Occasionally, his small form would shiver, and she wondered if he was cold or if he was trembling because of his emotions.Katy turned her head, attempting to completely cover his small form.Somehow, she’d get out of this, and she’d make this up to him.Katy would be as good a friend to Otto as he’d been to her.
“I’m so sorry, Otto,” she whispered.“I’ll fix it.I promise.”
Chapter 15
Dead Bodies Are The New Diamonds.
“Brave, stupid, female.I bites her again.After she doesn’t die.Master Gage must understand.She not die.Only friend.”~Otto
Otto: Azure make me bite Katy.
“Shit.”Gage growled and tried not to crush the phone in his hand.The plane, full of females, raced down the runway.Thankfully, they were in the rear cabin, and Gage could sit up front in a separate seating area by himself.He had no desire to be cordial with anyone.He wanted to kill Azure.Then he wanted to bring him back from the grave and kill him all over again.It could be a nightly routine.Like a workout.Or brushing his teeth.
“What?”Link’s voice was full of worry as he came through the curtain that separated the two areas.
“Azure is making Otto bite Katy.”
Link froze.He understood what that meant.Azure would know he’d lied.He’d know that Gage would be coming for his female.There would be no element of surprise.
Gage: Tell me what’s going on, Otto.
