Page 122 of Beast and Remedy
Another strike of magic hits my center, and I flinch.
Marian’s eyes widen. “Hey, Vi, can I talk to you in private?”
I fail to hide my souring expression as I rise. “Of course,” I wheeze when a spasm breaks out in my calf.
She rushes to me, and I dismiss Beau stiffening.
Marian forces a tight smile and addresses our friends. “We’ll be right back.”
Beau eases upright, disregarding my sister’s comment and staying focused on me. “What’s wrong?”
My soul wants to tether—to seek comfort, but my magic grows more violent the longer I delay.
I try to soften my features to remove the worry wrinkling his face, but all I can do is shake my head, praying he will listen—will understand.
I don’t wait for a reaction or response from Beau as I tug Marian with me, the foliage barely covering us before I break into a run. Tree branches hover near my line of vision, and I dodge each one. The anticipating rush of power surges through my veins, pushing me farther from my friends.
Come on, Vi. You need to get far enough away.
“Vi,” she cautions. “We can’t get too far from the campsite.”
I try to tell her I don’t care, but an eruption of pain gushes to my wrist.
Yelping in agony, I clutch my broken arm to my chest, losing my footing when a spurt of power surges down my legs.
“Vi!” Marian shouts, trying to catch me.
She misses, and I meet the damp ground, a sting radiating up my thigh, making it twitch uncontrollably.
“Marian,” I gasp.
But it’s too late.
The torture is beginning.
The control I fight to keep is already slipping away.
She hurries to my side, her hands cold against my blazing skin. “I’m here, Vi. I’m here,” she soothes as my toes break at once.
I bite my tongue to muffle my pain, and I taste my own blood. The copper mixes with my saliva, and my senses amplify.
SNAP.
My body contorts.
POP.
Bit by bit.
CRACK.
Fissure by fissure.
Excruciating power takes over, and I scream.
My vision blurs as I beg through strained gasps, “You have to leave me now. Before it gets worse.”
“I’m not leaving you—”
