Page 87 of Sparks Flying

Rolling onto the ground, I slid in at just the last second so the bird landed on me and not on the hard ground. I heard what I thought was the snap of a wing, but the tiny heartbeat was strong. The raven was going to survive.

It took a while for the smoke to clear enough for the others to swoop in and assess the damage.

Many shifted into their skin, chancing the remnants of the flame. We had no way of knowing how long the effects would linger, but soon it was apparent that only the actual smoke carried the agent.

“She’s alive,” someone yelled. “Kim’s alive. It’s a miracle.”

Kim?I thought, feeling like I was going to throw up.

Several people surrounded the bird I had saved, carefully lifting her up as she was carried away.

I couldn’t breathe in the mask. The edges of my vision were starting to blacken as I fought back hysterics.

“Bailey!” I heard Dean yell as he ran to my side and ripped the mask from my face. “Bailey, breathe. You’re okay. I’m here.”

I forced myself to shift as I began sobbing.

“That was Kim? How could you let her sacrifice herself like that? Do you have any idea what that would have done to Elias?”

“Shhh,” he said as he held me, rocking back and forth.

I sobbed again. “That was Kim?”

“Yeah. I didn’t even have time to react before she took off to put the flame out. What happened down here?”

“I saw her flood the fire, but the paralytic set in and she was going down fast. I knew she was going to splatter on the ground, so I ran and intervene. She landed on my side. I think she may have broken a wing, but I’m not sure.”

“You saved her?”

“I didn’t know it was her.”

“So you risked your life for someone you didn’t even know?”

“I couldn’t let her just die. I had to try.”

He hugged me. “You’re amazing, Bailey. Thank you. You’re right, Elias would never have survived losing her.”

I cried and held on to my mate for dear life.

It took me a few minutes to settle down and think clearly.

“We need to find the last group.”

“I know.”

“We have to keep moving.”

Much to my surprise, they continued to listen to me. I didn’t understand why. I was a nobody, an outsider, a wolf.

“I need you to put the mask back on first.”

I shook my head, and then slowly nodded.

Two more teams took flight on the search of what we all hoped was our last pair on the loose. Meanwhile, Dean and I were encouraged to take a break and brought to the clinic.

The second Doc saw us, he pulled us both into a private room.

“I told you. When a wolf and a raven find each other as true mates, a battle is sure to follow. So far, we’re doing okay. Now, for love of all things holy, tell me you sealed your bond.”

---