Page 28 of Amethyst Queen
Chapter 24
A loud crash startled Dimitra awake. Glancing at Jason, who was sitting on the makeshift couch beside her, as he jumped to his feet.
“What the hell?” He moved toward the door, just as Helix burst through.
“YOU!” He grabbed Jason by the neck, causing Dimitra to rush toward them.
“Stop! You're hurting him,” she tried to pull Jason from his grasp only to feel the back of Helix’s hand across her face. The force of his hand caused her to stumble back and fall to her butt.
Jason clawed at Helix’s hands, grunting and kicking his feet.
“YOU DID THIS…” Helix released his grip, dropping Jason to the floor, “someone tipped the other Kingdoms off… they’ve found your sister and the child.”
“What?” Jason rubbed his neck, trying to feign shock, “What do you mean they have my sister? You promised she’d be safe if I did your bidding.”
Helix kicked him, “LIES… you told them where they were…”
“No… Helix… Why would I risk my sister's safety? She could be killed if they raided the place… is she all right?” he crawled to his feet slowly, “Tell me… is my sister dead?”
“NO… you idiot, they took them.”
Helix paced the room, “I should kill you,” he glared at Dimitra, still crumpled on the floor, “but I think I’ll kill him instead.” He grabbed Jason again.
Helix was larger than Jason, which was crazy since Jason was nearly six foot three and had a muscular build of his own. Still, Helix dominated him like a lion catching a mouse. Jason struggled to free himself, but Helix dragged him toward the door.
“Please… don’t kill him.” Dimitra cried from the floor, her arms stretched out to grab Jason’s leg.
Helix paused and looked from her to Jason, his eyes lighting up with understanding. “I see… you’ve grown fond of your keeper, is that it?” Helix pulled a knife from his waistband and held it up, “I do not take kindly to being betrayed… and since I no longer have your sister to hold over you – you’re no longer trustworthy.” He plunged the knife into his gut and dropped him to the floor. “Now, you can watch him die.” Helix pushed through the door and slammed it shut.
Dimitra crawled to Jason’s body, crumpled on the floor. “Jason… fuck,” she cursed as she leaned him back against the wall. The knife went in below his right ribs. Blood oozed through his shirt, pooling on the floor below him. “You can’t die on me, do you hear me?” Standing, she rushed to the sink and tore fabric from her dress. Jason had brought her several things to wear, so ruining this to save his life didn’t matter.
She eased his shirt up, gasping when she saw the two-inch gaping wound in his flesh. Pressing the damp fabric to the opening, she ran her hand around his side. “It didn’t go all the way through… Jason, look at me.” She gripped his chin in her fingers, “Please… open your eyes.”
Jason blinked slowly, his eyes trying to focus on her voice, “I’m sorry, Dimitra.”
“Sorry for what?”
“Not saving you…” he grunted, “I… need to tell you,” he hissed as she pressed into the wound.
“Stop talking. I will figure this out. DO you hear me? Don’t give up.”
Jason raised his hand and ran his fingers across her cheek, “I…” his words were garbled, barely audible as he tried to tell her something.
Dimitra leaned into his palm, wrapping her free hand around his hand that held her face, “I need you to live… please.” A tear dripped down her cheek, spilling onto his fingers. Jason’s eyes closed as his body relaxed against the cold brick as his hand fell from her warm skin. Dimitra felt for a pulse, breathing out a sigh of relief when she found one.
Glancing around the room, she tried to formulate a plan. She needed to get them out of there or get someone a message before he bled out. If she had her magic, she could have tried to use that, but the damn metal cuffs around her wrist mocked her.
As her eyes roamed his body, she froze on the sight of his belt. She couldn’t take her eyes off the leather and metal. Smiling, an idea formed in her head. Careful not to hurt him further, Dimitra slipped the leather from the metal clasp and tugged the strip from his jeans. She was done being a victim. Jason had risked his life for her. It was time she did the same for him.
