“Ready?” asks Brodie.
I nod, and presumably so does Sammy, because straight away, I feel magic coiling around me. Probing and prodding. Curious and exploring. I inhale sharply and grip the seat of my chair tightly. Different flavors of power dance over my aura and seep into me. It’s unnerving as hell. But these people are my friends. I am not under attack.
“Found it,” says Ned gruffly.
“Oh, yes!” exclaims Pink.
A strange sensation of something tugging at my mind itches at me. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s not pleasant. I close my eyes.
“Blue, Sammy, can you feel this?” asks Brodie.
“I can’t feel a thing,” says Sammy.
“A little,” I say.
I’m glad Sammy is oblivious to this. He shouldn’t have to suffer anymore than he already has.
Jade gasps suddenly. “I think I can pull it apart.”
My heart thuds and my stomach twists. A bitter taste floods my mouth. What in the seven seas is wrong with me? This is excellent news. Everything we wanted. The whole point of this. I should be ecstatic. Not…whatever this feeling is.
“Okay,” says Brodie. “Give it a go.”
A sharp pain lances through me. It’s everywhere, all at once. I whimper. Then a loud thud behind me has me flying out of my chair.
I whirl around. Sammy is a crumpled heap on the floor.
An anguished “No!” echoes around the room as I fall to my knees by his side and scoop him up in my arms. He is all floppy and lax and I hate it.
Brodie is kneeling in front of me. His fingers are on Sammy’s forehead. I can’t breathe. I’m hyperventilating. An awful, distressed whimpering sound is filling the air.
“Blue! Blue! Calm down!” says Brodie. “Sammy is fine, he has just fainted.”
He tries to take Sammy from me, so I hiss at him and hold Sammy’s limp body closer to my chest.
“Alright, alright!” surrenders Brodie with his hands up. “Let’s get you tucked up in bed together. A night of close contact will soothe the bond.”
I get to my feet and hold Sammy tightly. A little procession leads me towards Sammy’s room. Perfect. His room is closer than mine and I need to get him comfortable as soon as possible.
We reach Sammy’s room. Someone pulls back the covers. I lay Sammy down on the pillows and slide in after him. Every part of me is screaming for as much physical contact as possible.
Brodie checks Sammy once more. His dark eyes fix on mine.
“He’ll be fine by morning,” he assures me.
I nod.
Brodie sighs. “I’m sorry we fucked up.”
I have nothing to say to that, so I stay silent. I know they were only trying to help, but right now, I’m far too fraught to find forgiveness.
One by one, my friends file out. The light flicks off. The door shuts.
I’m alone with my mate.
In a bed.
Chapter fourteen
