The edge of my vision grew fuzzy, but I pushed forward, aware that the beast wouldn’t be held off long.Just one more step. Just one more step.It was a haunting melody in my head, urging me on, even as I grew weaker with each of those steps, until those words werea mere whisper.
I had a small head start thanks to Belle’s spell, but its claws had already done their damage, tearing through my flesh andembedding deep in my magical essence.
Fear faded with each drop of lifeblood that escaped, and when I stumbled past the curtains, I decided to get off the beatenpath.
Nightrealm Hall.
In my haste to escape one monster, I’d found myself in the lair of another.
With the heat of blood pulsing against my hands as I attempted to keep my insides...well, inside. . . there was stillenough life within me to feel fear. Only this fear tasted different, tainted with hate and regret.
Against all common sense, I found myself stumbling to the one door I’d refused to approach before tonight. The only indicationof the powerful and dark being who resided behind it was a carved minotaur in the center of the wood paneling.
With my right hand clutching my ribs, my left rested beside the minotaur as I swayed forward and almost smashed my head onthe frame. When I pulled back, there was a streak of crimson left behind, as if I’d marked this door with my energy. Not thatI really had energy left to do more than sway on the spot.
Lurching dangerously forward once more, the scuffle of the monster sounded close by. With no other option, I dug deep forthe strength to lift my hand and knock, only to find the door opening before I even made contact. Cold air rushed around me,like a slap in the face, almost waking me up.Almost.
In the doorway stood my enemy.
But tonight I needed him.
To fight a monster, I needed a monster.
Unless he was the one who set it on me in the first place. But still, he was the only warlock strong enough to stop this attack.
His cold gaze traced over me, and that perfect face that haunted my dreams grew harder. I opened my mouth to explain, butI had nothing left to give. Swaying forward, I fell, expecting to hit the floor. Instead, strong arms wrapped around me, crushingagainst the wounds on my side. Even beyond pain, I still felt the weight of his hold.
“Precious?” he murmured, that one word dripping with fury. Maybe it was my sanity failing with my life, but it didn’tsound as if his ire was directed at me. For once. “Who hurt you?”
Logan Kingston pulled me closer, and I knew that this was the defining moment of my existence. He held all the power, andas darkness won its battle and I closed my eyes, I wondered if my enemy would hand me to the beast or save me.
Time would reveal all, but it seemed I was out of that.
For tonight at least.
Chapter 27
Heat woke me first. My body arched on the bed as the pain slashing through my side added to the sensation of being lit onfire. A shadow washed over my face, and a scream ripped from me before I recognized the flash of icy green.
The heat was from Logan, his hands pressed to my side as power flooded into me with enough intensity I wondered if he wasplanning on finishing the job the monster started. My screams faded into whimpers, and Logan met my gaze. “Breathe, Precious.Breathe through the pain.”
Easy for him to say.
I arched again, fighting the urge to punch the warlock trying to save my life. “The monster?” I managed to gasp, sweat pouringoff me from the power.
“You weakened it,” he rumbled. “I finished the job.”
My relief was short-lived, before I was back to the pain again. Every nerve ending in my body was lit up, flames razing themto the ground. “Am I dying?”
Logan’s unamused laughter rasped over my sensitive and burning skin. “Your life has been in my hands for years, and I’m notready for it to end yet.”
Yet.“This is why people are afraid of you,” I sniped, but my breathless voice took away the bite.
“That’s not the reason,” he replied, “now stay still so I can save your life.”Again.
There was another burst of energy, and after I arched into the power, the searing pain in my side finally eased. Logan lifted his right hand into a higher position, but when it brushed over the crystal we both jumped from a strong shock of what felt like electricity.
Reaching for the stone, I found it resting against bare skin—Logan must have removed parts of my shredded shirt to assessthe injuries. My bra was still on at least.
