The ruined homes of my people loomed in the distance as Daxton and I raced through the city center. Broken cabins, the school, and various shops I’d known since childhood lay in ruin. Even the tavern we ventured to on more nights than I could count was destroyed.
I slowed my pace to catch my breath as the oppressive silence thickened around me. No wind, or the sound of songbirds amongst the rustling leaves. Just the weight of everything pressing in, threatening to swallow me whole.
“Shaw!” I called out, my voice echoing in the stillness, but there was no response.
“Where could they be?” Daxton asked.
I reached out once more, detecting a flicker of energy through the pack bond in the direction of the alpha’s manor.
“The healers’ quarters,” I said as I took off at a run.
I pushed forward, feeling the pull in my chest like a guiding force. As I stepped over the threshold of the old stone foundation, I pushed open the door to the familiar healing rooms and saw Shaw on the remnants of a cot.
“Zola!” I rasped as I entered, avoiding shards of shattered glass and broken beds.
The spymaster turned to me, eyes wide with that singular fear—the kind that comes only when a mate’s life hangs in the balance. “He’s been stabbed with an iron blade!”
The world felt like it was closing in around me as I sprang into action. My limbs were shaking as I knelt beside Shaw, assessing his injuries. His side was torn open by a bladedriven beneath the seam of his base layer, but at least it was a wound that I could heal.
I called upon my magic once more, letting it mend what was broken, working to bring Shaw back from the great crossing. The searing pain of exhaustion sank into my bones as his wound fused together. A steady pulsing began echoing in my ears as energy drained from my center and into my beta.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold on, but I refused to give in.
Daxton stood behind me, sending magic through our mate bond. “Skylar…” His tone was low, a warning.
My reply was barely above a whisper. “Almost… there.”
As the last pieces of Shaw’s wound mended, I collapsed backward into Daxton’s arms.
“You did it!” Zola said as she moved beside Shaw once more.
I sighed in relief as I watched his breathing become easier. There would be a scar left from the blade, but thankfully, the bleeding had stopped, and the damage was repaired.
Shaw moaned as he opened his eyes, still hazy with pain but clearer than before. “Skylar…?” His voice was rough, but there was undeniable gratitude there. “Took you long enough.”
I nodded, exhaustion slowing my movements as I sat up, giving him a half-smile. Though my own strength felt as if it were slipping away with each passing second, I was relieved that his returned. “You could’ve called me sooner.”
He gave me a tired smile, though his gaze was drawn to Zola. “Hey.”
Zola scowled as she smacked the side of his head.
“Ouch!” Shaw winced. “What was that—”
In a flash, Zola reached for Shaw’s tunic and pulled his lips to hers. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
Shaw smiled. “Careful, or else I’m going to start thinking you care about me.”
Zola stilled, her eyes softening. “I do care.”
“Is that your secret you owe me?”
“It is.”
Shaw pulled her in for another kiss as I swayed on shaky legs, leaning on Daxton for support.
“You’ve drained too much of your magic, Skylar,” Daxton whispered.
I huffed a laugh, leaning into his strength. “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”
