“How does it feel to know that no one is coming to save you?” The voice filled my head. “To die alone and afraid.”
Spots blurred my vision. My legs and arms became too heavy. I couldn’t fight it any longer.
Strong arms wrapped around me, ripping me out the clutches of whatever was hellbent on drowning me. I tumbled to the cold tile floor, my shoulder landing with a bone numbing thud. Water splashed from the tub, covering the entire bathroom floor.
I gasped for air, pushing myself up onto my hands and knees. “It was the girl from the river.” I coughed, water vacating my lungs.
“The spirits are getting restless,” Grey said, draping a towel over my shivering, exposed body.
I hugged it tightly around my shoulders, bringing my legs to my chest, and cocooned myself in the towel. “You consider this restless?”
“If we can’t find a way to help her, she’s going to become a wraith. All the spirits who can’t pass beyond the veil might,” Grey continued, completely ignoring my question.
“What is happening?” My voice cracked from the exhaustion and fear looming inside. “What do you mean the spirits can’t pass beyond the veil?” Something broke inside me, and the floodgates of emotion and tears tore open.
“I felt a shift in the magic flowing through the ley lines tonight. Like something is coming.” Grey grimaced like he hadn’t intended to share the information.
“Have you felt something like this before?” I lifted my chin to meet his stare.
“It’s been a long time.” He crossed his arms over his chest unwilling to elaborate.
“When was the last time you felt this kind of magic?” I asked, annoyed. It was like pulling teeth to get anything out of him. I waited for him to continue while he just stood there, not saying a damn word.
Silence fell between us.
“Grey,” I pleaded.
“The last time was when this shackle was put around my neck,” Grey bit out.
“Wait…” his words clanked around in my head, “you think this might have something to do with you? With Veda?”
“I don’t fucking know.” He seethed. Red-hot anger radiated off him. His hands balled into fists. I watched in horror as he cocked his elbow and smashed his fist through the wall.
He was at war with himself, and he’d rather face it alone than with me.
“That’s your problem, Grey. You don’t tell me anything. You bottle it all up and don’t let anyone help. I’ve told you things I’ve never said to anyone! But you can’t tell me one real goddamn thing about yourself.” I waited, hoping he’d take the leap and trust me.
Grating, ear-deafening silence followed.
“Lyra…” Grey rubbed the back of his neck.
Say somethingI screamed in my mind. Begging, willing him to believe he could trust me.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t?—”
“It’s fine,” I cut him off. Not wanting to hear a bullshit excuse. I stalked from the bathroom, wincing as I put weight on my right foot.
But that pain was nothing compared to the painful crack that tore through my chest.
CHAPTER 24
LYRA
Ididn’t hear a single word my English Lit professor said, but I got those valuable participation points for attending class. Something I’d failed to do for a while. And my grades had started to reflect it.
I’d woken up early after tossing and turning all night after my fight with Grey.
“Don’t forget midterms are coming up. Start studying now because it will test you on all the material we’ve covered so far this semester. The study guide can be found online,” the professor hollered, trying to be heard over the sound of scraping chairs and shuffling papers.
