The bullet had torn through his body, severing veins and arteries, and nicked the edge of his heart, usually a fatal wound if he hadn’t had someone like me close. I sank deep into the earth’s power and got to work.
The smellof jasmine jerked me awake. I blinked several times, dislodging flowers and leaves from my face, and took stock of my surroundings. I lay encased in a structure of roots and brambles, covered with vining jasmine, not unheard of after a healing like this. The odd thing was the male body lying next to me without a stitch of clothing.
I inhaled a sharp breath and reached out a hand to brush over Garrett’s face.
He was breathing. Thank the gods.
A warm hand snapped up and gripped my wrist. “Who are you?”
“It’s Evie.” I swallowed hard. “When you open your eyes, don’t freak out.”
A soft sigh. “Why does that make me want to freak out?”
“You were injured. A mortal wound.”
Garrett, who still hadn’t dropped my hand, went still as the grave. “Then why are we talking?”
“I have healing abilities.”
Garrett opened his eyes. His nostrils flared and he blinked several times. “Fuck,” he said in a low voice. “Where are we?”
“On my property. Front yard.”
“Caelan?”
“He was here…earlier. I don’t know where he is now. Probably close.”
He turned his head, a stunned gaze finding mine. “What is this thing we’re in?”
“My abilities are tied to the earth. I exhausted myself last night. This is the earth’s way of protecting me, though I’m surprised you’re in here with me. Normally, it only covers my body. I must have burned out before I could finish healing you all the way.”
He nodded slowly. “Are you going to let me out?”
I snorted. “It should release us in a bit. I’ve already tried, but the structure isn’t quite ready to relinquish us yet.”
“Is there any particular reason you’re naked?”
I sucked in a breath. Shit. I’d been so focused on him being naked, I hadn’t bothered to check myself. “Um. Energy, I think? This doesn’t always happen, but sometimes the earth does better work when bare skin is touching the ground.”
He shifted and swore. “And I had to be naked too?”
“The magic wants what the magic wants.”
Garrett let out a heavy sigh. “Caelan is going to lose his shit when this thing opens and we’re lying here in our birthday suits.”
I had no desire to face the Shifter Lord after last night’s debacle. “He’s going to lose his shit regardless.”
“You didn’t tell him where you were going.” Garrett laughed.
My silence was answer enough.
“Thorvin came home. I remember that, but nothing after.”
“He shot you with a high-caliber rifle.”
Garrett whistled low. “He knew we were out there.”
“I have no idea how. Maybe we missed a camera.”
