Page 19 of Shifting Hearts

I feel my fingers tingle, just the way they did the other night in the bar, and then her laughter. I open my eyes to see what has her reacting this way. Our hands are glowing purple, little sparks between our fingers. Beneath my hand, I can feel heat pouring into Knox. Already his color is improving, and he takes a deep breath.

The blonde woman stares at me in fascination as I continue to let the flames consume my mind. A moment later, the hole in his chest starts to heal before my eyes and he coughs. I push harder, trying to give him more of my magic but the woman beside me stops me.

“Enough,” she barks. “Never put your own life force at risk.” She takes my hand off his chest as Knox starts to sit upright. “He has his own magic that will help him heal.”

I nod, watching the man before me. The blonde woman is now full-out sobbing. Cruz wraps her in his arms, moving her out of the way as his twin stands. I watch the magic of the shift flow over him. It looks like he is struggling to shift, and I place my hand on his ankle, giving him just a little more of my magic.

In the next moment, his shift is complete, and I am thrown for a loop. Before me stands a mythical creature. More so than a vampire or a bear shifter. No, he is a fucking Minotaur.

I open my mouth to say something but darkness envelops me.

Chapter Fourteen

Korvin Slater

Aftermath

“What the fuck?” I roar at Krishka as I watch my mate slump into a heap on the mat of the octagon.

She shakes her head with a roll of her eyes. “Will you relax, Bear?” she snaps at me. “Your little witch doesn’t take direction well. She depleted her reserves, giving Knox more than she should. Her body needs rest.”

I have Akasha swept up into my arms as I glare at her. “How often will this happen?”

“Until she learns her limitations or kills herself. Whichever happens first.”

“What can I do?” I feel impotent at this moment.

“Not much,” Krishka says. “Make sure she stays hydrated once she wakes up, and talk to her. Not shouty black bear bullshit. Just talk.”

I glare at her before moving toward the stairs. Once I emerge into The Gin Room, Aldron stands there waiting for me.

“Take one of the open apartments upstairs,” he says. “Taking her all the way back home will be difficult alone. Besides, now that you’re mated, I’ll want you living here instead, especially with her training.”

I nod and make my way to the elevator. Aldron follows us inside, chooses a floor, and leads us to a vacant apartment. He doesn’t linger or speak. He simply nods before he closes the door and leaves us alone.

The entire apartment is decorated in white without a single personal touch, a lot like my own apartment. If this is where Akasha and I will be staying for the foreseeable future, I can’t wait to see what she will do to make it more a home thanjust another place to stay.

I lay her down on the stark white bedding and stare at her. What the fuck am I supposed to do until she wakes up?

****

She sleeps for six fucking hours. Six of the longest, most stressful hours of my life. Just when I want to give up and call Krishka to come and check on her, she stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She smiles when she sees me, and I don’t know if I want to kiss her or tan her ass.

“How are you feeling?”

“Thirsty.” Her voice is hoarse, and I quickly hand her a bottle of cold water.

She scoots around on the bed, resting against the headboard as she slowly sips from the bottle.

“Is this your apartment?” she asks looking around with a frown.

“No. Aldron has been converting one of the floors in the building for the mated couples. The apartments are for single staff.”

“Ari didn’t mention that. She just said there were apartments and office space,” she says, taking in everything around here. “Does that mean we’ll be moving?”

“Already moved,” I correct. “Aldron had someone pack up our apartments while you were asleep. They just dropped everything here.”

“Damn!” She whistled. “That man moves fast. How long was I asleep?”

---