Page 416 of Master of My Life

Chase leaned forward, his fists pressed against his eyes.

Strong arms wrapped around his shoulders. “I know everything feels lost right now,” Alex said,

his low, accented voice penetrating the darkness of his heart. “I know how you feel. Believe me. But

you cannot give up hope. You must not, or he will win.”

Chase opened his mouth to spit out a rebuke, but realized it was pointless. And wrong. Alex knew

what he was going through. “He’s already won,” Chase whispered. “What can we do?”

“He hasn’t won. Not yet.” Alex hauled him to his feet and set him back in bed. “Rest. Theo tried

to heal you when I brought you back, but he was unable. We are waiting for Sebastian. Together, they

will be able to do it.”

“Why couldn’t Theo heal me?” he asked, laying back down on the cot and wincing with every

move.

“He did not know. But they will heal you, Chase. Try to not worry. You need to regain your

strength to fight Damian.” Chase snorted and Alex gave a faint smile. “All is not lost.”

Richard nodded to Alex as he patted Chase on the arm. “Sleep. Then we will plan your revenge.”

Alex turned and left, leaving the lantern behind.

“Try to sleep,” Richard said softly. “I’ll stay with you.”

Chase closed his eyes, doubting he’d be able to sleep at all.

Chirping birds made Chase think of his childhood, camping with his parents and brothers in western

Massachusetts. He smiled, imagining his mom out by the campfire. He could almost smell the coffee

she made for herself and Dad.

Wait. He did smell coffee.

He sat up and blinked, looking around. This was not the tent from his childhood. This was an

army tent, with supplies stacked on one side and a dirt floor. Richard lay on a cot nearby, snoring

softly.

Memories of what happened slammed into his mind as if he’d been hit by a car. He fell back onto

his cot with a low cry, burying his face in his hands.

Ethan was gone. Sabrina was gone.

“How are you feeling?” Richard asked from his cot.

“Like shit,” he snapped. “How do you think I’m feeling?”

Fabric rustled and Richard appeared above him, his brows drawn together, eyes full of sympathy.

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