Page 48 of Lucifer's Mirror
I skid to a halt beside the small group hovering around her. They part, and I step closer, sniffing the air. Fresh blood. A growl rumbles in my throat. I lean closer, my legs trembling, but I can see the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
Gods, she’s alive.
I almost collapse as relief floods through me. I gently nudge her, and she groans. For a second, I close my eyes, then I blow out my breath and shift.
I fall to my knees beside her, studying the damage. Jagged claw marks have ripped the skin open from her armpit almost to her hip, and my heart stutters. The claws contain a poison that can be fatal.
But I won’t let that happen.
I reach out a hand and run it down the wicked wound, and she moves a little, her lashes fluttering.
“Is she all right?” Zayne asks.
“No,” I growl. “But she will be.”
She moves again, pushing herself up with her elbows; her eyes flash open, and a scream is torn from her throat. She collapses back. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
“Stay where you are,” I murmur. “It’s going to be all right. I’ve got you.”
I hope to the gods that I’m telling the truth.
I will not let her die.
She lies there, her breathing rapid, her lips clamped tight together. I reach out a hand, needing to touch her, and gently stroke the hair from her face.
“Breathe slowly,” I say, wishing I could take her pain for myself. For a second, I don’t think she can hear me. Then her breathing slows. She opens her eyes and swallows, then licks her lips. “Am I alive?” she asks, her voice raspy with pain.
“Yes.”
“Am I going to die?”
“No. I won’t allow it.”
A brief smile flickers across her face. “I’m not sure it’s up to you. Are they gone?” she asks. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, and yes. Well, everyone except for you. What the fuck happened torun!” I growl the last question, then force myself to calm the fuck down. But why can’t she do what she’s told?
She shrugs, then winces with pain. And I can do nothing about that. And it’s killing me.
Her gaze locks with mine, and she gives another small smile. “Did you think I was dead?” she asks.
I close my eyes for a moment. “Yes,” I say.
Something flashes in her eyes, and my hand reaches out slowly. I can’t help myself; I need to touch her. I stroke her cheek, and a flash of sensation courses through me. Her eyes widen, and some of the pain fades from her expression.
“You did good out there,” she says. “I think I like your wolf.”
“He likes you,” I admit.
“You’re being nice.” She frowns. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “I’m not the one covered in blood.”
She glances down at her body and flinches. “I am, aren’t I? I suppose I should get up.”
“No. Stay where you are. We’ll camp here for the night.”
I can see the relief in her face. And I know she would have tried to keep going despite the pain. I suspect she doesn’t know how to give up. I can’t resist reaching out and stroking the soft skin of her cheek again.
