Page 17 of Forgotten Mate

Greyden slowly raised it, and Niall pulledout a slim needle and quickly pricked a finger, capturing a drop ofblood into one end of the needle. The serum seemed to get absorbed.Niall began writing in the air with the sharp end, and some weirdshapes that looked like runes briefly appeared before rippling anddisappearing.

“This next part is going to hurt,” Niallwarned Greyden.

“Do whatever you need to do to remove thisspell.”

Niall closed his eyes and began mutteringunder this breath. At first, nothing happened, but with a repeat ofthe counter spell, Greyden’s body jumped. Over and over, Niallchanted, the volume growing in intensity. A black mist oozed fromhis mouth and rose above Greyden’s head, and he slammed his eyesshut as if in pain. As the mist grew thicker, Greyden’s bodycontorted and he shrieked. The sounds grew in pitch, until almostdeafening. Zenia’s eyes filled with tears that ran down her cheeks.It hurt so much to see him suffer, and she wished she could absorbhis pain.

Suddenly, Niall was in front of her. He usedhis fingers to pick up her tears and dipped the needle in them.When he returned to Greyden, he jammed the sharp point intoGreyden’s forehead. He let out an unholy scream and collapsed, hishead hanging down. Zenia ran to his side, cradling his face. Shebrought his head up, expecting to see the head wound, with bloodleaking from where the needle protruded, but it wasn’t there. Noneedle, no blood, nothing to indicate Greyden had been stabbed.Niall backed up and slid down the wall, panting heavily.

“It’s done,” he muttered. He raised atrembling hand to run his fingers through his hair. “Whoever didthis spell was powerful. And an asshole.”

“But he’s free?” Zenia asked.

“Yeah, he’s free.” He pushed back to hisfeet and walked over to her. “But I’m not. Time for mypayment.”

Jericho took a step closer, ready to jump inif he needed to defend her.

She stared at him as he came to standdirectly in front of her. Then he brought up a small, empty glassvial.

“Can I have the rest of your tears?”

“Oh,” she said. “Sure.”

He put the vial up to her cheek and let thewetness flow in. “One of the most powerful things in the universeis true love. And true love tears are potent.”

When he’d collected all he could, he sealedup the vial and stuck it in his jacket. Then he studied her andplaced his hand over her head. He muttered something under hisbreath, and then a gust of power hit her square in the chest. Shetripped backward and Jericho held her steady. The roar of her wolfsuddenly exploded through her head as she clawed her way out.Zenia’s clothes shredded as she came down on her paws. She lookedup at Niall and gave a growl of thanks.

Chapter Eleven

Five Years Ago

She dreamed of them dancing. Of them movingtogether to become one heart. One soul. Zenia reached out to feelhim, but encountered only air. She opened her eyes to discover shewas all alone. Rising, she quickly dressed and hurried back to theAssembly grounds.

Unsure where the Kaudiff Pack was set up,she started weaving in and out of the camps, trying to spotGreyden. Why did he leave her? Did something happen? She hopedwhatever it was, wasn’t too horrible.

“Zenia!”

She turned and saw Layton hurrying towardher. Meeting her friend halfway, she hoped nothing was wrong withthe pack. That everyone was okay.

“What’s wrong?”

“He’s gone,” Layton told her, pity in hertone.

Zenia stared at her, unable to comprehendthe words. He’s. Gone. She turned in a circle, as if looking forhim. Surely, it was a joke. Why would he leave her?

He’s gone.

She looked at her friend, trying to figureout something more. Something that would tell her why he was gone.Perhaps she misheard? Misunderstood?

“What do you mean? From the camp?”

“No. Gone back to his home.”

The words just weren’t making any sense.

“What? How … I c-can’t,” she whispered, hervoice cracking. “Why?”

She wasn’t sure what she was asking. Whynow? Why her? Why did he reject her?

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