Page 2 of The Healer

Nyx struggled to breathe past the panic but managed to wrap her legs around his tapered waist. She heaved her hips and twisted to the right, unbalancing him enough that she was able to reverse their positions. She slammed her elbow down in the crook of his arm, managing to break his chokehold.

Coughing, Nyx scrambled back immediately, tripping on her skirt, eyes watering. Just what sort of nightmare was he living?

“Snap out of it! You’re dreaming. It’s me, Nyx,” she rasped, holding her burning throat as he rolled to his knees.

Briggs snarled and came at her again. Terror shot up her spine and she scrambled for any weapon. Her fingers curled around the flagon of wine, and she jumped to her feet, swinging as he came into range. Her stomach dropped at the sickening sound of the pottery breaking against his skull.

“I’m sorry,” she cried and backed away, holding what remained of the flagon handle as Briggs shook the wine from his black curly hair and glared at her, still lost in his mind.

He bared his fangs at her and growled low, seeming to swell in size. Dotae be good, if he shifted right now, Nyx wouldn’t have a chance against a bear his size.

She held her hands up while trying to edge out of the alcove. If she could get to the bookshelves, she could lose him and reach the entrance to the library.She was smaller and nimbler. He’d never be able to catch up.

“You don’t have to do this. Just wake up,” she pleaded one last time. “I’m your friend, Nyx. Not the enemy.”

Another step toward the library. She stiffened as the hair along his arms rose and his nails lengthened into claws.

Time to go.

Nyx bolted out of the niche and into the maze of bookshelves. Briggs snarled and followed; his heavy footsteps closer than she would have liked. Pumping her arms, she sped up, bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor.

The next turn came into view and her eyes narrowed. If she used the bookshelf to swing around the corner, she be able to keep up her momentum and?—

Briggs grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked. She screamed, clawing at his hand as they crashed into the stone wall, dropping the flagon handle. Stars burst across her vision as pain spread across her left cheek and her ribs.

“You thought you could run from you sins?” Briggs hissed in her ear. He spun her around and pinned her in place.

Nyx blinked past the agony in her face and tried to focus on him as he seized her hands in one of his huge palms and held them above her head, practically grinding her wrist bones together. More tears dripped down her cheeks.

“You don’t want to hurt me. I’m your friend,” she choked out.

Still no recognition. All she could see was hate and fear in his gaze.

Her bottom lip trembled, and she bit it. What could she do to get him to wake up?What would comfort him?

Unbidden, she began to roughly hum her mother’s favorite lullaby. Her throat burned but she didn’t stop. Briggs frowned and his grip slackened enough that she could pull one of her hands from his grip.

He hissed but otherwise didn’t react as she carefully placed her left hand on his right forearm. Her fingers trembled as he continued to growl. Nyx began drawing patterns on his skin like her mother used to do for her when she was frightened orneeded comfort. Nyx continued to hum and soothe the bear, watching as his muscles began to lose some of their tension.

Taking a risk, she skated her fingertips over his pulse at the base of his neck and up to his strong jawline.It would be so easy for him to turn his face and rip into her flesh, but he didn’t. Her bear’s eyes closed as she traced his face.

A sob escaped her when the fingers in her hair released and then cradled her skull.

Thank the stars, he was coming back.

“You’re okay,” she croaked. “It’s just me, Nyx. You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Briggs’ eyes snapped open, clarity returning in a slow wave. Her fingertips paused on his lips and traced down to his collarbone. Her chest rose up and down in huge breaths as she waited. He blinked slowly and scanned her face before stiffening as he noticed their position.

Briggs released her and scrambled back like she was on fire.

Nyx slumped against the wall and sucked in a deep painful breath as he eyed her with increasing alarm.

“How bad are you hurt?” he asked, deep voice holding a hint of panic.

“I’m fine.” Her voice cracked, making a liar out of her. “It’s just a little bruising.”

He blinked hard; eyes trained on her neck. “Itried to kill you,” he replied woodenly. He held out his hands like they’d betrayed him. “My fingers are imprinted on your skin.”

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