Page 96 of Tharn's Hunt
My claws gouge the stone floor as another wave of transformation crashes through me. My senses sharpen impossibly. Suddenly, I can hear her heartbeat, smell the salt of her tears, feel the heat radiating from her skin.
And something else. Something new.
Her thoughts.
Not foggy like before, but impressions, clear in the mindspace. Emotions, fears swirling like mist.
...terrified he's dying...
...my fault. The kiss was my fault...
...please don't leave me...
The intensity of her concern slams into me, doubling me over. She's afraidforme, notofme. The distinction matters, though I can't focus on why.
Another spasm rocks through me, my back arching as my muscles seize. Something is pushing against the flat pouch at my groin, demanding release, the pressure building to unbearable levels. I know what this is. Rok described this, but experiencing it—dust and stars, there are no thoughts for this.
I need to get away. Now. Before the final stage hits, before I lose what little control I have left.
With a roar that shakes dust from the ceiling, I lunge toward the tunnel entrance. Jah-kee cries out, reaching for me, but I evade her grasp. My limbs are uncoordinated, my movements jerky, but fueled by desperation.
"Tharn, stop!" she cries, her voice raw and cracking with the force of the sound. "Please, let me help you!"
I can't stop. Can't explain. Can only run.
The tunnels blur past me as I crash through the passages, my body careening off the walls, leaving streaks of blood in my wake. I'm barely aware of the direction. I just need to go.
Away from her. Away from everyone. I am dangerous. Unstable. A beast breaking free of its cage.
The deeper tunnels are cooler, darker, less traveled. Perfect. My legs finally give out, sending me sprawling onto the hard stone floor of a small chamber. I curl into myself, trembling as the next wave hits.
JACQUI
"Tharn! Answer me!" My voice bounces off the stone walls, echoing back to me with no response.
I've been following the trail of blood smears and gouges in the stone. What the hell is happening to him?
The kiss—it had to be the kiss that triggered this. One moment he was looking at me like I hung the moon; the next he was convulsing, his skin turning black and starry like the night sky.
And then he ran. Bolted like a wounded animal seeking somewhere dark to hide.
I turn another corner, the shadows getting darker as I venture deeper into the mountain. It's getting harder to see, and the tunnels are branching in multiple directions. I'm going to get lost if I'm not careful.
"Tharn, please," I call again. "I just want to help!"
"Jacqui!"
I whirl around at the sound of my name, relief flooding me when I see Justine hobbling toward me, supported by Rok. Her injured leg is hastily bandaged, but she's clearly in pain.
"What are you doing down here?" I ask, rushing to help steady her. "Your leg?—"
"Forget my leg," she cuts me off. "It’s happened, hasn’t it? Everyone heard the commotion."
Before I can answer, two more figures emerge from the shadows behind them. One is Sarven, his crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light. The other is another Drakav.
My worry bubbles to the surface. "He was in agony, Justine. And his skin—it turned black, with these pinpricks of light like stars."
Justine doesn't look surprised. She nods, turning to Rok, who straightens. "It happened to Rok too," she says softly. "Back then, I had no clue what was going on." Her eyes find mine, understanding filling them. "He needs you, Jaqs..." She pauses. "If you'll help him."
