Sameen had patted all around her hiding spot, hoping for some berries she could trust to eat, but had found nothing.
“So…your name?” Peter asked.
He was close now. Not quite close enough to touch, she thought, but close enough he could see her and the state she was in. Sameen tried to inch back, but her legs felt like they weighed a hundred pounds each.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. See? No weapons. I’m…uh…sorry about the lack of clothes, but it kind of comes with the territory.”
She didn’t know what he meant, but she reached up with a trembling hand and touched her eyes, then shook her head slightly.
“Oh, shit. You can’t see me? Can’t see at all?”
“No.”
She mouthed the word, hoping he’d understand. He took another step, rustling the brush only inches away from her. Sameen made a tiny, panicked sound—all she was capable of—and even that burned her throat. Panic welled up inside her, along with the scraps and shreds of the elemental powers the Thirteen had channeled into her over so many years.
“Shhh. You’re safe. I’m kneeling half a foot away from you, and I won’t touch you unless you want me to.” His voice was so soothing, and she imagined he was strong. Solid. For years, she’d had nothing but her own thoughts to comfort her, and sometimes, she’d conjured the idea of a big man, dark hair, dark eyes, stubble… He’d always made her feel safe.
But then her mind would fracture, he’d disappear, and she’d remember that she was never safe—would never be safe again.
“Can you talk?”
“No.”
Her hands started to shake, and a hint of fire welled up inside her. Not enough to escape, but enough to sicken her. Falling onto her side, she retched, and Peter swore quietly, then came close enough the heat of his body warmed her.
“Just breathe. Focus on my voice and breathe. Can I touch your shoulder?”
Sameen couldn’t answer. Not when she had to use every bit of energy she had just to keep the pain from overwhelming her. She was shaking, her hands clenched into fists in front of her face, the fire burning inside her chest, making her heart pound so hard, she could hear it.
Her thoughts dulled—as they always did when the elements battled within her. A part of her remained on the rocky ground, but the rest of her retreated deep inside, away from the pain.
Strong fingers gripped her shoulders, yet he was gentle. As were his words. “I won’t leave you. I don’t know who you are, but there’s something about you…I have to keep you safe. I need you to find a way to come back to me, sweetheart. I think…we were supposed to find one another.”
The seizure took her, and all Sameen wanted were Peter’s arms around her. She tried to turn her head, and thought she might have managed. A little. If she could just see him. Maybe everything would be okay.
Opening her mouth in a silent scream, she prayed he’d understand what she needed. Tears tumbled from her eyes, and her body shook so violently, she feared she’d smack her head into one of the larger rocks.
“Shit. I can’tnothold you. I won’t try anything. Just…fuck it.” He scooped her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Strong. Solid. She’d been right. He tucked her head against the curve of his neck and held her close until she passed out.
Chapter Two
Peter
Something soft brushed his chest, and a sweet scent—vanilla and berries—wrapped around him. His back ached, as did his ass, and he didn’t know why. Until he opened his eyes. Dawn was approaching, but the sky was still alight with stars, and in his arms, the woman he’d found injured, naked, and ill hours before shifted slowly away from him.
Her muscles were trembling with the effort, and she stopped after each tiny movement, holding her breath like she was trying to figure out if she’d woken him.
“Don’t go,” he said softly.
The hoarse little whine stabbed him through the heart, and she scrambled off his lap, skittering on all fours until she collapsed less than two feet away. Her shoulders shook with her quiet sobs.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” The absurdity of the statement hit him smack in the face even as she swiped at her cheeks and the chain hanging from her wrist cuffs clinked in the quiet of the early morning. “Shit. I’m sorry. Just…don’t run away from me. Please. I can help you.”
She shook her head, and her black locks fanned out over her shoulders, tangling over her eyes. “No.”
“No? I can at least get those cuffs off and find you some clothes. Not right this second, but I’m staying just a couple of miles from here. Plus, you have to be starving.”
The woman pressed her hands to her side and started rocking back and forth, her breath hissing between her teeth. Pain tightened lines around her eyes, and she mouthed something he couldn’t understand.
