Page 173 of Icy Cold Death

Oh, and there was blood.

“Ridge,” he whispered, his heart racing in his chest. The man was pale, and he was worried.

Touching his neck. His pulse was there, and it was slow. Someone was out for the count.

“Ridge,” he whispered, placing his hands on the man’s chest.

His body was cold.

That was one of the problems with walking in the static. It could kill you. The energy there was too much for one person to handle, and it had been too much for his friend.

It burned him out.

Hopefully, it was only momentarily.

“Ridge, come back to me,” he said, panic sinking in that he could lose him.

The man had a wife and family.

He had to warm him up.

He wasn’t losing him.

Pulling the blanket over him, Lucian did what he could. It wasn’t like he could call an ambulance and then explain what happened.

Instead, he curled against the man’s back, pulling him into his body as he shared his warmth. He wrapped his arm around him, and placed his palm over his heart to keep feeling the beats.

And hoped that he woke up.

Soon.

Lucian thought about what had caused this. That’s when he heard the voice in his head, and knew who it would be. Only Oracle could talk like this to someone outside the static.

God.

He wished he had that gift.

He will be okay, Lucian. He drained himself. Let him rest. He’s okay.

Avi, I cannot lose him. He’s important to me. Help me fix this. Show me how to get stronger so I can keep him safe!

Her reassuring laughter washed over his body.

Oh, well, if that was what he wanted. She could give him that. It was time the man learned how powerful he really could be.

His gift was waking up, and it just needed a little…push.

You will never lose him. He’s connected to you. He can hear you, and he’s just resting. I can help you tie him to you so he is always safe.

God.

Yes.

Please, Avi. Do it. Show me how!

Oh, she would.

In the silence, the absence of his partner, Lucian was freaking the hell out.

---