Page 118 of Visions & Shadows

I start hitting him as hard as I can while bucking my body wildly.

The next moment, I’m hitting the air as Raighne yanks Jason off me.

I grab at my throat and scramble away from them until my back hits the wall. I keep sucking in huge gulps of air, trying to ease the burn in my lungs while my ribs are aching something fierce.

I can breathe. I’m safe. There’s no Adeth. No Ares. Raighne’s here.

Jason drops to his knees with Raighne standing next to him, ready to restrain him if he has to.

“I’m so sorry. I’ve never laid hands on a woman before. I just want them back. Give by animals back,” Jason begs.

I turn my face away from them, and I feel the same anger pulse through me that I felt the day my dad died. Before I can stop the words, they burn over my lips. “I chose your animals over my father.” I suck in a desperate breath, and a sob sputters from me as I shout, “My father died so your animals could live.”

Jason glances up at me.” What?”

“I was told I could have one request, and I used it to save your precious animals,” I spit at him. “I didn’t save my father and let him die. I didn’t know any better. I didn’t understand. I begged for your damned animals. Obviously, my wish was granted.” I glare at him. “It was my dad’s funeral today, yet I’m standing here trying to save your life, so I fucking suggest you get your ass up and pull yourself together. I have nine other people to save before I can take you all to Vaalbara, and we’re running out of time.”

The air is thick with tension as Jason climbs to his feet. His eyes lock with mine, and we stare at each other.

I have no idea what I’ll do if Jason keeps losing his shit. We’ll have to forcefully drag him to wherever the next chosen one is.

Jesus, what if they all reject me? I can’t control ten people who want to beat my ass.

Letting out a tired sigh, I say, “I know you want to see your animals again. You have one of two choices. Either you come with us willingly, or we take you by force. It’s your choice how this plays out.”

God, I don’t want to take Jason by force.

“I’ll see my animals if I go with you?” he asks, his tone still unsure.

“Yes.”

“Where are we going?” he demands.

“I don’t know yet. I’m waiting for the next vision, but you should pack a bag because we could leave at any moment.”

His eyes stay on me for a few seconds before he nods and walks out of the living room.

I rush forward and watch as he heads to a bedroom at the end of the hallway.

“Let me look at your neck,” Raighne mutters as his fingers brush over my throat.

“I’m okay, it’s nothing,” I mutter as I pull away.

Before I can put more distance between us, he grabs hold of my arm, and I’m yanked flush with his solid chest.

His features are carved from stone with anger, but he says nothing as he wraps his fingers around my neck.

When his warmth trickles beneath my skin, I close my eyes and focus hard to keep my walls up so he won’t see into my mind.

“So stubborn,” he grumbles before letting go of me.

I quickly turn away from him, and exhausted because of everything that’s happened to me these past three months, I struggle to fight back the tears.

Swallowing hard, I lift my chin and force myself to suck it up.

Unfortunately, my voice is shaky when I say, “Thanks for the clothes.”

“Brenna chose them,” he murmurs in a much gentler tone.

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