Page 64 of Dawn Unearthed

Rome

My bear roared within me, and I twisted, looking over my shoulder at the town.

Alden’s eyes went wide at the sound of my growl, and the two fae in front of me frowned.

“What’s wrong, Rome?” the leader asked.

“Sage. Something’s wrong with Sage.”

Aspen, the fae leader’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize you were bonded. I would say congratulations, but I do not believe it’s a good time for that.”

“We’re not, not yet, but something’s wrong.”

“Go, we’ll be right behind you,” Aspen shouted, and I ran, my feet pounding the ground. I didn’t know if Alden had joined me, but he would. He was my brother. I trusted him to be at my back, no matter what. The fae would likely be there, too, and so I ran, keeping my gaze on the town in front of me as I made my way towards the bakery. I ran as quickly as I could, my bear pushing me, scraping at my skin as I saw the water main break at the end of the street.

Jaxton flew over me, his hawk form shrieking as he passed by before landing in front of me as I stood and looked at the bakery. I felt him shift and saw Trace running towards me, garments in hand. He tossed clothes to Jaxton, and I tried to push my way through the wall of water.

“What the hell is this?” I growled, my hands burning as I touched the scorching water.

“Faith is in there,” Jaxton said. I shot him a look.

“How do you know that?”

“She’s the only one I know who could do this.”

“She’s there.” Ash came to my side, tilting his head as he studied the water. “We can make our way through.”

“How?” I asked, my bear growling.

Others joined us then: the fae, Alden, Rowen, and Laurel. We were all there, looking at the wall of boiling water blocking us from getting into the bakery. None of the rest of the town had been touched, only this. I frowned.

“We’ll need to push through it with magic,” Ash said. “It will take everything we have to go against water since Sage is in there.”

My bear could only hear the name Sage. I growled again, pushing at the water.

“You’ll hurt yourself,” Trace scolded.

“Maybe, but I need to see her. She needs to be okay. She’s hurt,” I growled again.

“Fine, we’ll help,” Rowen said.

“I won’t be much help,” Laurel added.

“You’ll be enough.” Ash took Laurel’s hand, not Rowen’s I noticed, and Laurel took Rowen’s. The three of them pressed their hands to the water and began chanting a spell I ignored. Instead, I pushed my hands towards the water, trying to get through, attempting to break it down so we could get into the bakery and I could get to Sage. So I could save her.

Jaxton and Trace were at my sides, pushing at the water, as well, scalding themselves to help me get to her. The fae muttered something under their breaths, and I knew they were trying to help, as well, trying to break through the new ward. The others did what they could, each using their type of magic or power to get through. Jaxton stripped again, turned into a hawk, and then he and some of his winged brethren began flying over, hopefully to find another way in.

The town was working their hardest as one to get through. Finally,finally, Laurel screamed, blood pouring from her ears as Trace ran to her and caught her.

“Go,” Rowen said, falling to her knees. One of the fae was there to catch her, and Ash looked down at her. I saw something flash in his eyes for just a minute, but then he was at my side as I pushed bodily through the water. The wall scorched my skin, leaving blisters, but I ignored it. I could make my way through. Ash was behind me in the hole I had made. One of the fae came, as well, and then Jaxton was there, but I couldn’t see any others. I couldn’t pay attention to them. Instead, I looked down at the blood on the ground and roared.

Claws burst through my fingertips, and I fell to Sage’s side as I looked down at the blood covering her stomach, her arms, and chest. Then at Penelope’s wide, vacant eyes.

I threw my head back and roared, the windows shattering, the wall shaking.

“Control yourself,” Jaxton said, pulling me back. Sage was still in my arms, gasping for breath. I put my hand over her wound.

“Rome,” she muttered, blood trickling out of her mouth.

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