Page 52 of The Delver
Callie staggered back with a cry.
Illuminated by the lantern, the vrix’s features were emblazoned into her memory. A headcrest that curved backward like the dome of a skull. Mouth fangs exposed in a skeletal grin. Lank, dark hair hanging around neck and shoulders. And mandibles ending not in fangs, but wicked pincers with jagged teeth on the insides.
Its gaze was locked on Callie, blazing with fury and hunger.
Urkot’s hands clamped around the sides of the vrix’s head, halting its lunge abruptly. Its arms and forelegs darted toward Callie, and she retreated until she bumped into the alcove’s rear wall. Those clawlike mandibles snapped on empty air.
Urkot dragged the other vrix backward, forcing its upper body to tip back precariously. Its upper arms reached for him now. With a guttural growl, Urkot wrenched the pale vrix’s head to the side.
Bone cracked. The sound was not unlike that of a large branch breaking away from a tree trunk. The pale vrix’s body fell limp, held up only by Urkot’s hold on its head—which was now facing almost completely backward.
He released his hold, letting the pale vrix collapse in a heap. His shoulders rose and fell with his harsh breaths. Dark crimson glistened on his hide, contrasting the vibrant blue of his markings.
Urkot’s gaze met Callie’s as he stepped over the corpse to move closer to her. His eyes gleamed with lingering fury, pain, and profound, sincere concern. “Are you okay?”
Hearing his voice break the silence after all the horrible sounds that had dominated the dark was a balm to her soul. An end to the nightmare she’d awoken to.
She flung herself against him, wrapping her arms around his middle in a fierce hug. He didn’t hesitate to embrace her.
“You’re okay,” she said, body trembling, jaw quivering. “You’re okay.”
Urkot was as solid as the stone around them, but much, much warmer, much more welcoming.
“Calm, female,” Urkot rumbled. “We are safe.”
Safe. They were safe. They hadn’t been torn to shreds, hadn’t been killed, hadn’t been…eaten.
Don’t think about that!
Callie closed her eyes and focused on the pounding of Urkot’s hearts within his chest. They soothed her, grounded her, and were proof that they were alive. Another danger overcome, together.
She curled her fingers into his back as she tightened her embrace.
Why can’t I stop shaking?
Urkot stroked his claws through her hair. “Breathe. Calm.”
Nothing about this situation was right, nothing was okay, except for Urkot. As long as she had him, she was truly safe.
They held each other as their hearts gradually slowed, as their breathing calmed, as her trembling finally ceased.
But when she inhaled deeply, drawing in his scent, she became aware of something else.
The smell of blood.
Callie jerked away from him, clutching his upper forearms as she scanned his chest and arms. “Are you hurt? There’s blood. Oh fuck, there’s so much blood.”
Urkot glanced down at himself. Some of that blood was definitely his; she could see the scratches and cuts.
He grunted. “I am fine.”
“But there’s scrat?—”
Urkot caught her chin in a firm grip and forced her eyes up to his. “I am fine, Callie. I will heal in small time.”
She released a shaky breath and slid her fingers up and down his forearms, unsure if she was trying to soothe him or herself. “Okay. Okay.”
His thumb stroked her cheek. “You are okay?”
