Page 51 of Rogue Games

My shivers turn into full body spasms as the temperature continues to plummet, and cramps seize the aching muscles in my legs, which are working hard to keep me in place.

Peering over the edge at the violent river below, it’s beginning to look like I was a bit too hasty in my insistence I wasn’t going in there. I might have no say in it.

Closing my eyes, I rest my knee against my forehead. I know I shouldn’t go to sleep. My brain knows that staying alert is the smartest thing to do, but I’m so tired.

With a jolt, I wake up, head snapping up as I realise that I’m halfway to the drop. My foot snags in the root, twisting my knee painfully, but preventing me from going over the side.

“Damn it!” I shout, clawing at the rocks around me to get a decent grip. I attempt to right myself and crawl back up against the wall, but with my arm hanging limp at my side, and one leg trapped underneath me, I’m stuck.

Lying on my chest, keeping my face up off the dirt is an energy sapping exercise that I can’t afford in the name of vanity. So, I give in and lay my cheek against the ground, cursing my bad luck as the cold mud oozes up the side of my face and into my hair.

Every muscle in my body is tense, knowing one wrong move could have me dropping down into the roaring abyss below.

Damn it, I’m not going out like this. Not when I know Wyatt is coming for me. He’ll never forgive himself.

With one last heave, using every last ounce of energy I have left, I manage to push myself back six inches. Not much, but enough that I’m not quite as terrified I’m about to disappear off the edge.

Again, Jamie. Again.

My mother's face floats in front of me, and even though I know it’s a hallucination, I welcome her presence.

Don’t give up.

I can hear her voice like she’s right beside me, and it gives me a boost, enough to force my drowsy head out of the mud and heave my wet, battered body another two inches.

Again.

I swear, as I wriggle forward another few inches, this time, I feel her hand brushing the hair back from my face.

I’ve got you, Jamie. I’ve got you.

“Mum?” Frowning, a flicker of recognition tickles my brain. I need to wake up. Mum’s not here, but someone is.

“Wyatt?” I croak as I feel a firmer grip this time, underneath my armpits, pulling me upright.

The blinding pain rouses me from my lethargic state, and I scream in agony, pushing at the hands causing me so much pain. It’s not my brother. My immediate reaction is to fight.

“Calm down, Jamie, you’re going to hurt yourself. I’m trying to help.” Strong arms band around my middle, stopping me from thrashing around like a wildcat. “Fuck, what the hell happened out here?”

My eyes fly open, and then I remember where I am, balanced on the side of a cliff. With my good arm, I cling to the warm, strong body lifting me and cradling me to their chest. His scent wraps around me, soothing my nervous system and calming the panic that has me in its clutches.

He’s here. Everything’s going to be okay.

“Shh, Jamie. I’ve got you,” is all I remember hearing before I pass out, and everything fades to black.

25

DEAN

Callum pulls the rope, helping me climb over the edge with Jamie clutched to my chest. He’s careful to avoid touching her. Our feet slip and slide in the mud created by the heavy deluge, and the rope burns our unprotected hands. But finally, we get Jamie to safe ground before we both collapse to our knees, exhausted.

I keep Jamie cradled against me, her head lolling back. Gut-wrenching fear has me trembling all over. The sight of her clinging to the side of a cliff will stay with me for the rest of my days.

She’s unnervingly pale, and her skin is so cold to the touch. Shifters normally run hot. She’s dangerously close to being hypothermic, and her body is limp in my arms.

I clamber to my feet awkwardly, refusing to set Jamie down on the ground, even though her clothes and skin are already caked in muck. She twitches in my arms with each clap of thunder and winces with every tiny movement that jars her injured shoulder.

Something’s not right about this. How the fuck did she end up down there?

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