The snow hit them hard, throwing them through space, and they fell. He kept hold of her and bounced, rolling around wildly. Pain echoed through her body, but she clutched him tightly and held her breath. Finally, they reached the bottomof a mountain.
Snow continued to pile up on them, and he kicked up, punching and kicking until finally there was silence. Her heart was beating so rapidly shecould hear it.
Snow encased everything except her head. “Pax?”
“We’re okay.” He pulled her to stand and brushed yards of snow off her. It was nearly thigh deep, and she started to shiver. Her hair hung around her head, with the elaborate tiara lost somewhere in the snow.
“Hunter. Vero,” Paxton called out, rubbing her arms, trying to instill some warmth.
“Here,” Hunter said wearily, coming straight outof a snow berm.
Pax craned his neck, searching the area. “Vero,” hecalled. “Vero?”
“Ugh. I think I’m dead,” Vero said from behind a snow boulder. He pushed it out of the way, his hair covered with snow, bruises across his face. “Where did you land us?”
Paxton looked around. “I have no idea. It was the first time I teleported.” His voice was demonlow and hoarse.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Vero said. “While I can’t teleport yet, I could’ve at least helped you pick a direction.”
“It was my first time,” Paxton protested, brushing more snow off Hope’s head. “I didn’t even know if I could do it, considering I’ve been a Kurjan for less than a day. How badis your side?”
She looked down to see the diamonds on her dress glittering with blood. “Not good.”
His fangs dropped, and he bit into his wrist, holding it to her mouth. “Drink. Now.”
She tried to protest because he needed his strength, but he grasped her head with his free hand and held her in place, not giving her a choice. When she started to drink, he looked around. “Does anybody have any ideawhere we are?”
His blood was like fine wine coursing through her veins, warming her. Filling her. Healing her. Finally, she pushed him away. “I’m good.” She could feel her flesh stitching itself back together. Then she shivered and looked at the series of tall jagged peaks marching off to the horizon. They were in some sort of mountain range, but she didn’t recognize it.
Blood slid from Hunter’s left ear, matting his black hair. He studied Hope. “We need to get her somewhere warm. We’re at too high an altitude for all ofus right now.”
“Agreed.” Paxton rubbed at a bruise on his chin. “Vero? Are you absolutely sure you can’t teleport?”
“Not yet,” Vero said, his lip swollen. “Like the demons, not all Kurjans have the skill. You’re young to have it.”
Paxton pulled Hope to him and wrapped both arms around her. “You’re shivering so hard, you’ll hurt yourself. Takea deep breath.”
Hope didn’t know what to say. Her body was feeling better after taking his blood, which meant that his body would take longer to heal. “Did you know you could teleport?”
“No. But after talking to Drake, I thought there might be a chance.” Paxton exhaled. “Let’s see if I can do it again.”
Nothing happened.
They all waited.
“I’m empty,” Paxton said, looking around the now quiet wilderness. There were trees, snow, and more mountains extending in every direction. “Vero, you’re lead. You need to create a trail. Then I’ll trample the snow, while Hope and Hunter, you bring up the rear. Our goal is to keep Hope as warm as possible.”
“I’m fine,” she said, shivering so hard her bones ached.
“Right,” Paxton said. “We need to find shelter, and fast. Move, Vero.”
Vero looked at Paxton, his fangs sliding out.
Hope stilled. Were theygoing to fight?
Vero slashed into his wrist. “Here. We share blood, and you’re injured. Need you atfull strength.”
Paxton studied him for a moment and then accepted, drinking his new brother’s blood. “Thanks.”He leaned back.
