Page 85 of Called By Fate

Pain.

My whole body feels like it was run over by a truck, backed over, and then tossed through a light socket or two. My throat is so tight and sore, I don’t think I could swallow even if I wanted to.

Why am I in so much pain if I’m dead? They’ve sorely misled us if this is what death feels like. I expected an all-knowing sense of presence or some shit like that. Definitely not slight agony. And why is it so dark? I’ve been to the In-Between and it was at least light there, and no one was writhing in misery…

I peel my eyes open and find myself in our bed at the safe haven, golden light filtering in through the window like nothing even happened.What the hell?

“She’s awake!” someone exclaims, and Reed’s face pops into view and all the air is sucked right out of my lungs. “You’re not dead, my Love,” he says, likely prevalent as he reads my thoughts and confusion. His dimples are out in full force, his glasses crooked, and he looks so damn handsome with the light hitting his face just right.

Dante moves into my line of sight beside him. “Yeah, sorry, Angel. You can’t get rid of us that easily, I’m afraid.”

Leave it to Dante to crack a joke at a time like this. It makes me chuckle slightly, but that hurts like a bitch so I just kind of clutch my throat in agony.

Dante winces. “Sorry, Angel. I’ll go get Kaos. He’s been healing you as much as he can, but it may take a bit to get back to full stamina. Something about your wolf being an extension of your soul and her taking on Mickey’s power completely zapped you.”

I feel like I was roundhouse kicked by a horse,I project through the bond.

A split-second later, three more men and a familiar are bursting through the door to get to me. Kaos and Vinson are at my bedside seconds later. Vinson grabs a glass of water with a straw and holds it out for me to sip while Kaos runs his magic over my body. Reed soothes the hair back from my face, Hemsworth licks my hand, and Dante sits at the edge of the bed.

The cool water feels amazing going down my parched throat while Kaos’ soothing magic heals me from the inside. When he’s finished, I feel a lot better than before. “Thank you,” I croak and take another sip of water.

How long was I out?I ask mentally.

“Two days,” Elian responds.

My eyes find him in the doorway, and he looks… stoic, his arms crossed over his chest as he leans against it. “What’s wrong?” I ask and wince at the pitch of my voice. I sound like I literally ate nails for breakfast. “What happened after I passed out?”

“We almost lost you,” he says and his mask drops. His gaze is intense, and if he weren’t my mate, he’d scare the shit out of me, but as it is my heart gives a little flutter at the sight. “I almost fried that fucker’s brain trying to get him to release the power he was holding over you. It worked. Then I trapped him in his worst fears, which he is still reliving.” His expression is aglow with glee at that thought.

But that statement has me shooting up from my pillows, which sends a jolt of pain through me, but I don’t care at the moment. “That fucker is still alive?” I demand.

Elian nods. “The power he took from the souls is still protecting his body, like it did the Elders, but don’t worry. He’s not going anywhere other than his own mind until it wears off. You weakened him enough for me to slither in and anchor a hold.”

Then I’m going to rip his fucking heart out,I mentally respond, forgoing talking out loud this time.

“He’s all yours after that, Pet,” Elian agrees.

That fucker killed so many Weavers and shifters, Malachi and Merri among them, and countless others I didn’t see or know. He killed my parents and Skylar and turned my bestie against me. I plan on ending him as slowly and painfully as possible. If I were a necromancer, I’d probably bring him back to do it all over again.

“How’s Ash?” I ask, thinking back to her fighting beside us on the battlefield and her diving in to protect me.

“She’s fine,” Reed responds, putting my curiosity at ease. Thank goodness. “She’s been staying with Carter. Apparently they’ve taken quite a liking to each other.”

Good for her.Get that shifter D, girl.

A thought occurs to me that sobers me right up, and I’m not sure how to voice it because I’m not entirely sure if I want to know the answer. “Did we—” I clear my throat and take another sip of water, which Vin is happy to provide. “Did we lose—” I don’t have to complete that sentence for them to know what I mean.

The energy in the room turns somber instantly, and I brace myself for the answer. “We lost several great shifters and Weavers,” Kaos tells me gently, squeezing my hand.

“Malachi and Merri,” I say, wanting to speak their names out loud. Reed squeezes my hand comfortingly.

Vin blows out a breath. “We also lost Alpha Darren and his mate,” he says, sadness etched on his features, and it resonates down the bond, making my heart ache for him. I know how close they were, and I can feel how hard this is for him.

“Fuck,” I curse and run my hands over my necklace, thinking of Skylar. I’m glad I could bring my family justice, but I hate that it was at the expense of others.

“Don’t blame yourself. They knew what they were agreeing to,” Elian says fiercely, surprising me.

I nod. “But it doesn’t make the grief any easier.”

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