Page 162 of Emperor of Wrath

“I love you,” he breathes.

“I love you, too.”

36

ANNIKA

It’s quiet now.

I listen to the shallow, rhythmic breathing inside Kenzo’s chest and the drip-drip-dripping sound of the water down over the side of the walkway.

At times, my vision swims again. Then I’ll feel like something is twisting inside me. But I can’t tell if it’s what Valon injected me with or my mind, fucking with me.

I hold Kenzo’s hand, refusing to acknowledge the truth that’s staring me in the face.

We’re going to die down here.

I sniff back tears. When I do, a terrible realization hits me. It’s smelled dank and bad down here since I arrived. But something’s different now.

Rotten eggs.

My face falls.

The air…

I tremble when Kenzo’s hand finds mine and squeezes a little.

“I’m sorry,” he growls quietly. “I’m so fucking sorry for pulling you into my world.”

“Don’t you dare say that,” I whisper back, wiping away a tear. “Loving you has been the highlight of an otherwise pretty shitty life.”

“Fantastic endorsement.”

I grin through the tears as I lean up to kiss him.

“Our friends are looking for us,” I whisper more urgently. “They’re going to find us.”

“Definitely,” he grunts.

“They will,” I repeat.

“I know,” Kenzo smiles softly.

Drip-drip-drip.

The sound of the dripping is maddening.

Drip-drip-drip—splash.

My brows knit. The splashing sound comes again, and I stand, walking tentatively toward the rusty railing and looking down into the inky black water.

A fish breaches the surface, then dives back down.

Holy fuck.

This is not how this ends.

I might be a lost cause at this point. I have no idea how long it’s been since Valon stuck me with that needle. I’m guessing I have…fifteen minutes or so left?

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