Page 100 of Ruby & Onyx

As if coming to the same conclusion, Bas yells to me through the mental link, How do we get to the boat without breaking the connection?

I can hold it. Can you carry me to the boat?

For my friends, I can do this.

For my friends, I will hold on.

Yes. Within our mind space, a visible red aura envelops him. His lip quivers like he can’t fathom the thought of separating, and I can see the memory of Perdita’s loss burning through him like he’s actively reliving it now. Every second drags on as he confronts the memory, knowing that he has to leave to save us. Then, with pained resolve, he says, Stay focused. I’ve got you.

I nod back to him, training my mind on the power flowing from me. He vanishes from my side, taking a considerable amount of force with him.

Hold the connection.

Feel the rage of Olly’s betrayal heating up inside.

Punish those who manipulated and lied to you.

Save the ones who give you strength.

My heart begins to pound. Much too fast.

The space in my mind is fading quickly, and the darkness threatens to swallow me whole. I can no longer hear the voices of my friends around me. Only a deafening buzz swells in my ears. I feel like I’m shrinking, losing my grip on the world.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I can…

The blackness overcomes me as I collapse into the sand.

Who won?

Chapter 42

When I open my eyes, I don’t recognize my surroundings, but at least the snoring lump of fur curled up on my feet is familiar. I gently wiggle my legs out from under Moose, trying my best not to wake him as I slump out of the bed. The ground below me sways from side to side, and I have to readjust my footing to keep from toppling over. My head is pounding, and my body is reeling with pain.

The room smells of fish and musk. Six beds in rows of two line both sides. Nothing ornate. Only a gray blanket and pillow lay atop each one. One window in the back of the room allows some sunlight. And through the window, I see the ocean stretching on for miles.

How long have I been here?

A set of steep stairs leads up to a hatch. I decide to see what’s out there – to understand what happened and how I got here. I press on the hatch, and it opens much easier than I anticipated. It flies open and slams onto a deck. I poke my head out further and see Bas standing at the rear of the ship, hunching over the railing. He’s looking out into the distance, still as a statue.

“What happened?” I ask.

Bas startles at my question, jolting as he turns to look at me. His eyes are red and weary. Without a single word, he rushes over and wraps his arms around me. He’s shaking. I relax into him as he regains his breath.

“Seriously, what happened?” I ask again.

“I thought I lost you… again. We all did,” he finally says with his voice teetering on the edge of breaking. He grips me even tighter as my hair grows wet with tears.

I can feel the wreck of emotions running through him as I sink into his chest. His breaths are long and deep, and I give him a moment to regain his composure. I have so many questions, so much to learn. But for now, I’m happy to be alive. Happy to be here.

“After I left you in the mental link, your power started fading. I yelled to Amin and the others to run to the boat while I scooped you up out of the sand. Your body was… limp. But the flames kept growing higher and higher. Those assholes snapped out before it reached them, but it looked like it might engulf the whole palace.” He lets go of me to seek comfort in my eyes. “Once we got to the boat, the fire kept burning, but you… you faded. I tried to crawl back into your mind, but it was empty. I couldn’t feel you. Couldn’t see you. You were gone.”

I did it?

I did it.

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