Page 119 of Tangled Hearts

33

GRAY

Everything hurt. The moment they injected Kark into my body, I could feel it eating me alive. It was painful, like fire was coursing through my veins and for the first time in my life, I was scared to die. Soren’s screams were etched in my brain and when I finally passed out, I welcomed the void.

I wasn’t ready to leave. The few months I had with Oria weren’t enough. Even if I had a lifetime with her, it wouldn’t be enough. Just when I thought I had been blessed with a mate, I was going to leave this world.

When we sent her away, I knew that it could be the last time I ever saw her. Even when Taylin showed up, helping Laima’s right hand catch us, I was still optimistic. Now that I had Kark running through my veins, I knew this was my end.

My mind was sluggish, and my body was in pain every time I woke up. I just wanted to sleep and for a moment, I thought I felt Oria with me. What I wouldn’t give for one more day with her.

My body was warm, the burning receded and for once I wasn’t in excruciating pain. Then I heard her voice. My eyes struggled to open when I heard her speaking again. She was here. I needed to see her.

“No!” Soren snarled. “Don’t do this.”

“We are not worth it, Heaven,” Ryder said.

I didn’t know what was happening, but I finally opened my eyes. Just looking at her made me want to cry.

I tried calling out her name, but my voice was hoarse.

This isn’t the end. I love you.

I pushed myself up, feeling woozy as Oria left with Laima.

No, no, no. I shook as she left until I realized Taylin was in the room with us.

“Gray.”

I looked up at Soren who had tears in his eyes.

“How.” Getting out that one word was so hard.

Soren’s eyes looked behind me and I realized Max was knocked out, looking worse for wear.

“They infected him too,” Ryder said.

“If you had just let me take her from the beginning this wouldn’t have happened,” Taylin snarled, looking at us.

The air crackled with his magic.

“I had a plan and you all fucked it up,” he sneered. “I should have killed you, taken Oria, but I wanted… I needed her to be willing. Fuck.”

He ran his hands through his hair, looking over at his brother. His face fell, his nostrils flared while one tear fell down his cheek. He snarled before leaving us in our jail.

“How are you feeling?” Ryder asked.

I shook my head. “Better but…”

“Still infected.” Soren finished my sentence.

I nodded, concentrating on turning around so I could check on Max. He was hot to the touch, his breathing was erratic and his skin was pasty. I smoothed his hair off of his swollen face and he was bleeding above his right eye.

Anger burned through me.

“What. Are. We. Doing?” I asked, hoarse and choppy.

“Nothing,” Ryder said. “She made a deal with Laima to save us, but she will be imprisoned and have to keep making vials.”

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