When her fingers closed around the barrel of her firearm, I made a split-second decision.
One that would cost both of us greatly.
I stretched out my arms in front of me, levitated onto my knees, and snared Camilla’s downturned head. She jerked, then bucked, but not before I managed to yank my elbows back and crush her larynx with the chain linking the cuffs.
For better or for worse, Camilla.
Looks like it’s going to be for worse.
Chapter 62
My lungs had gone past burning; they blazed. And still I didn’t loosen the noose of chain and arms around Camilla’s neck. She thrashed, grabbing fistfuls of my hair, pulling. I held strong.
Silt and sand shimmered around us, thickening as Camilla fought. I blinked, but the world didn’t brighten. It was as though the sun were setting, but the sun wouldn’t set over Colorado for a few more hours.
Over me, though . . .
I smooshed my lips together. I wasn’t ready to let go. Not of Camilla and not of my life.
Camilla threw out a jerky kick that didn’t meet its mark, unless her mark was a clump of pondweeds. My lungs tightened, folding in on themselves like an origami, desperately trying to trap the last crumbs of oxygen.
The current shifted, shoved against me. As I tipped, as the light waned and the lake became overcast, Camilla’s fingers slackened around my hair.
Ah. . . that felt nice.
Bubbles popped against my cheeks.
I saw Liam then, but it was probably only in my mind, because his face was chalky and gray as though I’d lowered the saturation and applied a blurry filter.
I hoped Camilla’s bullet had missed his heart because Storm needed him. The pack needed him. I tried to feel the Alpha tether, but my body felt as unsubstantial as a fern caught in a summer breeze.
The weight of the lake, the gallons and gallons of water sat on my lids, on my ribs, on my lungs. I parted my lips to alleviate the pressure, and icy slush snaked into my chest, doused the fire in my ribcage.
My body rose, weightless, numb, empty.
Was I on my way to Lycaon’s den of stars?
I still had so many goals I wanted to accomplish. So many people I wanted to hold. So manyI love yous to speak. Had I told my parents recently? My brothers? Adalyn?
I tried to fight the ascension but had depleted my strength on the lake floor.
Was Camilla rising toward Lycaon, too?
I couldn’t see her.
Couldn’t see anything.
Or hear anything.
But I could feel something.
A repetitive pressure on my chest.
On my cheeks.
On my lips.
And then a deep growl resonated inside my skull,Come back, Nikki. Come back to me.
