Page 42 of Monster's Reward

I wanted to warn them that we’d just been attacked by the shadows, to check on Shadow and Mikaela to see if they were all right, but I couldn’t even twitch a finger, let alone open my eyes.

The world faded away.

* * *

I woketo the weight of Shadow on my chest and the feel of her claws batting at my hair.

Once again, I marveled at being able to feel her physical form when she was made entirely of shadows. However it happened, though, I loved waking each morning to her antics.

A moment later, memory exploded in my brain and my eyes flew open.

We were lying on a medical bed in the infirmary.

“Kasima,” Jahrdran leaned over me and I realized he’d been sitting in a chair next to the bed, holding my hand. “Sweetness.” He slid a hand behind my neck and kissed me.

A wave of heat rolled through me and I kissed him back.

I was only vaguely aware of Shadow grumbling in annoyance as she jumped down from the bed.

Jahrdran took immediate advantage and pressed closer, filling up the space where Shadow had been.

I lost all sense of place and time as his kiss consumed and set me ablaze.

Long moments passed before the sound of a throat clearing had us pulling apart.

Jasmine stood on the other side of my bed, looking worried.

The minute Jahrdran straightened, she flung herself at me and hugged me tight. “I was so worried you weren’t going to wake up.”

I hugged her back, terrified to ask, but needing to know. “Mikaela?”

Jasmine stepped back and glanced to the side.

Mikaela was lying on a medical bed a couple feet away and she was not awake.

“She’s in really bad shape,” Jasmine said. “They’re not sure she’s going to make it and they’re afraid to move her because she’s been so unstable. She keeps flashing to her leopard form, then setting the bed on fire, but it doesn’t really burn. It’s like her powers are both stronger and weaker all at the same time.”

Shit.

I sat up and went to climb out of the bed, but Jahrdran grabbed me by the shoulders. “Where are you going? You shouldn’t be up yet, at least not until the nurse says you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, Jahrdran.” I took a moment to really check in with my body and realized I wasn’t lying. I actually felt incredible, full of energy and ready to take on the world. “Really. Let me up.”

He stepped back, but hovered as I climbed from the bed, as if he was worried I would collapse.

I gave him a grin, dragged on my jeans, whipped the stupid hospital gown off me and pulled on my t-shirt. “Feeling great!” I gave a couple quick jumping jacks to prove it. “So, how long was I out?”

“You collapsed yesterday,” Jasmine said.

“It’s been almost twenty-four hours.” Jahrdran’s voice was rough and seeing the look on his face, I realized he was grappling with some pretty powerful emotions.

I stepped close and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning into his chest.

His arms immediately closed around me in a tight hug. He dropped his cheek down on my head and we stood there for several moments, just holding onto each other.

I finally stepped back and turned to face Mikaela.

Shadow was now stretched out alongside her, much the way she’d been lying next to me. She made a mewing sound, and as if in response, Mikaela shifted into a giant leopard.

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