Page 129 of Devoted

The answer to that became clear as I skidded to a stop in the doorway.

Noah’s body was bent in an unnatural manner over a weight bench, blood dripping from a rapidly healing wound in his head. It was one of the few pieces of gym equipment that wasn’t broken. For some unknown reason, there was a fifty pound weightlodgedin the wall.

The twins and Benji were a contorted mass of limbs in the centre of the room. Flashes of power were being exchanged with punches and curses. Benji was hollering at them to stop, but they were too far gone.

With a growl, I launched myself forward.

Shield in place, I unleashed my power. “Take Theo.”

Benji twisted, turning his full might on Theo as I did the same with Nate. Our combined powers forced the two of them apart a few inches. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for us. Enough for Benji and me to shove between them.

“The little fucker,” Nate snarled, so far gone to his anger that he didn’t seem to even register who was pulling him away. “I’m gonna fuckingendhim this time.”

Gritting my teeth, I used all my considerable strength to pin him to the mirror running along the wall. With my arm across his throat, I slammed my power into him. Across the room, I knew Benji was doing the same with Theo.

“Pull yourself together,” I hissed as Nate struggled to push me off. “What the fuck has gotten into you?”

A blast of power hit inches from his head, sending glass flying. The colourful curse from Benji showed he was having as much difficulty subduing Theo as I was Nate.

“Nate.” I shoved my forearm up until it was under his chin, forcing him to look at me. “This isn’t you. Theo’s your brother. Yourbrother.You need to?—”

I never did get out what Nate needed to do. Because at that precise moment, my mind registered a figure in the mirror.

A figure with horror written over every inch of his pale face.

Sam.

I froze, and that moment of hesitation cost me as Nate managed to get his hands around my neck.

There was a loud crack.

The familiar darkness rushed in, but it didn’t scare me.

The look on Sam’s face as I died?

That fucking terrified me.

29

Sam

I’m dreaming.

I must be.

This isn’t real.

There wasn’t gym equipment embedded in the wall.

Light wasn’t firing from Benji’s hands.

That wasn’t Noah’s broken body lying over a bench.

And Zeke.

Zeke…

No.

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