Page 21 of Forged By Heart and Claws
Then his expression turned hard. “Tend to the wounded now. Stop the bleeding. We can’t leave a trail.” He looked to the others as Many-Greats drew back, his manner tense and cautious. “Barricade the door. Use anything you can find.”
I tried to focus, but the agony was unrelenting—the bolt in my hip throbbed with each heartbeat, sharp and deep. The one in my shoulder made it hard to breathe, the muscle torn and twisted around it. My side burned as if someone had poured fire beneath my ribs. Each wound pulsed like a war drum, refusing to let me forget how broken I was.
I had no choice.
Vad,I pushed through the haze,you need to remove all three bolts so I can shift.
He stiffened, silver eyes snapping to mine.All three?
If I shift with them still in me like this, it’ll shred me from the inside.I whimpered, unable to hold the noise back.I can’t heal otherwise.
His thumb brushed under my jaw, soft even as his other hand clenched into a fist.Briar… pulling them will make you bleed even more. You’ve already lost too much blood.
If you don’t…I took in a breath.I’ll die.My head lolled against his palm.Do it, Vad. Please.
His jaw flexed, his silver eyes flashing with something feral. Then he looked up, voice snapping like a whip. “I need hands—now! Cloths, bandages—anything to press against the wounds the second these bolts come out!”
Rhielle and Quen were already moving. Silus tore a strip from his tunic, while Veralt ripped a tapestry off the wall. They gathered around us in a half-circle, weapons still in reach as the pounding on the door grew louder. The others remained at the door, putting more furniture against it to barricade it for as long as possible.
“Hold her steady,” Vad barked. “When I pull each bolt, press down on the wound and don’t let go until I say.”
I’m ready,I pushed through the bond, though my body trembled.
Look at me.He cupped the side of my muzzle, forcing my gaze up to his.Stay with me. Stay here.
I gave the smallest nod.
He wrapped his fingers around the first bolt—the one buried in my side—and wrenched.
Agony ripped through me like claws tearing muscle from bone. My body arched, a strangled yelp breaking from my throat as hot blood spilled over his hand. Many-Greats pressed hard with a cloth, staunching what he could.
“That’s one,” Vad whispered. “Two more.”
"You can do this, Briar. You're strong," Many-Greats murmured, though his hands trembled a little.
My vision blurred to gray at the edges.Hurry,I gasped.
His hands slid to my shoulder. “This will be worse.” Then he yanked.
I howled hoarsely, the sound muffled against his arm as I writhed. Blood sprayed the black marble. Rhielle shoved more fabric over the wound, her palms already slick.
“Last one,” he said, voice rougher now. “Stay with me, Briar.”
I barely heard him over the hammering in my skull, but I forced my eyes open.Do it.
His grip closed around the bolt in my hip, and he pulled.
The pain went white-hot. I nearly blacked out, jerking once before I collapsed in his lap. Everything inside me wanted to let go—to drift away into dark silence—but his voice dragged me back.
“Shiftnow,” Vad ordered, his forehead pressed to mine. “Pull the wolf back, Briar. Do it now.”
I’m too weak…
I can’t lose you! Imagine if I were in your place.He forced determination toward me.
Imagining him bleeding out with a potential way to save himself shook me. I dragged my wolf back, even as the pain tried to tear me apart. Bones cracked, muscles twisted, and the sound of my shift filled the hall.
Then, with a final lurch, it was over.
