I glanced down at him and his face was still.
A whimper sounded and Anna jerked, a small cry leaving her lips.
“Anna?”
Her eyes were still closed but she was whimpering in pain. I reached out, summoning the amulet from the claws clamping it to the fifth pillar. It slammed into my hand, hot and glowing.
Inside, Anna’s soul swirled like a galaxy. I held it close to her, reaching with all my power to reverse the flow of her everi. My flesh was burning but I didn’t let go of it, forcing her everi to return to her body. I could feel it; I was so close—a burst of energy exploded around us.
The amulet shattered and the pain was gone.
There was only darkness now.
Chapter 48
Least Expected
ANNA
Everything was tingling.
Light struck my eyes in blinding lines in every hue. They blurred in and out of focus, dancing around in an endless myriad of colors. I tried to move, but there was something heavy on top of me.
And hard.
As my vision focused, I saw Blake’s face. Relief flooded me, but as I shook him, he didn’t wake up.
“Blake,” I whispered, my voice raw and my throat dry.
He was atop me, his body trapping me against the stone slab where I was sure I was going to die.
I winced as the phantom stab of the dagger struck me. I clasped my arms around Blake, holding him tightly. The relief of his body so close to mine shot through me, my eyes burning as I tried to withstand the sting.
Caelan.
I looked for him, seeing no one. The glow of the soul gems was gone, only a torch flickered on the sconce. It was unchangedby the moments that passed around it, moments that would leave deep, unhealing scars for the rest of my life.
“Blake,” I whispered. “You have to wake up.”
I felt his heart beating, slowly, but steadily.
“Anna,” he whispered.
A stabbing pain through my heart made me clench him tighter. “Blake…”
As clear as my own thoughts, I heard Blake’s strained voice in my head.
“I did not see it—I spent too much time watching him.”
“What?” I whispered. “Who?”
“I have never felt a connection to someone like I do to you, but it does not matter anymore. Anna—I cannot protect you anymore. You have to run.”
I gasped, his name a whimper on my lips. “Blake?”
I clutched at his body; his pulse so faint I could barely feel it. “Blake, you have to wake up. I don’t know where Caelan went and I don’t think I can carry you right now.”
But he didn’t stir and I heard no more whispers in my mind.
