Page 132 of A Blackened Bond

As soon as the shifters reach him, he breaks free of the magical chains as if they were made of string and rips into each creature near him, killing them instantly before hurdling their remains toward the shaking warlocks.

A deep growl reverberates around the abattoir as he takes a slow step toward the shaking warlocks, their spells no longer having any effect on Mallyn’s beast as he prowls toward his prey with blood dripping from his large fangs.

He lunges toward them in one swift move, his claws meeting each torso or neck quickly, tearing them apart or taking their heads clean off.

His bright blue eyes turn to meet mine before his large body begins to tremble and shake, transforming into a very naked Mallyn. I keep my eyes on his face and try to stop myself from wandering lower.

Mallyn’s grey-blue eyes meet mine, a soft, knowing smile spreading on his bloodied lips before his gaze falls behind me and suddenly widens.

I whip around, instantly noticing the fear in his gaze, and catch a warlock left from Creed’s group forming a large static of lightning and aiming it toward Ezra.

I throw my blade toward the warlock, but am too late as the lightning strikes out toward Ezra. I fling myself in front of him just as he twists around. Pain sears through my chest as I’m hurdled back into Ezra by the lightning.

I hear the thump of the warlock’s body hit the floor and see my blade embedded in his head as I collapse fully into Ezra’s warm embrace.

The pain spreads through my chest, and out toward each limb, my sight blurring as I hear Annex and Mallyn shout my name.

Ezra’s hands clutch onto me, pulling me closer to him as I gaze into his shaking turquoise eyes.

I feel another set of hands join him on my chest as a soft, soothing feeling begins to ease the pain. Darkness takes my sight, leaving me with the last image of the four of them crouched over me with worried-gazes, all promising me that I’ll be okay.

A soft light trickles along my eyelids, my body not yet ready to wake up ashisgentle hum fills my ears once again.

Zrael’s sweet tune surrounds me, his beautiful, soulful tone embracing me as his humming grows into a song.

The sweet memory of his voice takes hold of me, encapsulating me with each soft lyric. It soothes me, relaxing mytired soul as he continues to bathe me in this melodic dream of him.

How I missed this…how I missedhim…

If only I could find him sooner, save him from The Facility and have him in my reach just a little earlier.

“Zrael,”I call to him, begging for this dream to last just a little longer and praying that I can stay with him here and continue to hear his voice…at least for now.

His voice grows slightly louder, the song clearer as my brows furrow slightly. I don’t remember him ever singing this song to me.

How is this possible?

Is this not a dream or a memory from my past? How could this be a memory if I had never heard him singing the sweet song he is now?

Could I have died when the lightning hit me? Was this some type of heaven? Had he been waiting for me here? And waiting for us to be together again?

What other reason could there be for him to feel so close and to hear him so clearly?

He continues to sing, the song coming to an end as a tight feeling forms in my throat. A soft trickle begins dripping down my cheeks as I pray for his song not to end. That whatever this was—dream or some glimpse of heaven—that he wouldn’t be taken from me again.

His voice grows lower, the song coming to an end as I feel a warm hand stroke down my cheek.

My brows pinch further together…how was that possible?

How could I feel these things if this was a dream? And if I was awake, then how could I still clearly hear Zrael’s voice?

A tremor works its way into my body as I slowly open my eyes, Zrael’s voice still clear in my ears as the song begins to slow, nearing its end.

I open my eyes, fighting the light trying to make me close them again and gaze into two familiar turquoise eyes. His lips are parted as the last soulful lyric leaves Ezra’s mouth.

My eyes widen, my breath catching in my throat as I gaze into his lilac-flecked eyes.

That voice…there was no way I wouldn’t recognisehisvoice.

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