Page 179 of Depths of Destruction

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"Hunting."

"Hunting? What does…"

Oh God.

"No. Tell me he didn't go after him," I whisper.

Blaise's face hardens.

I put my hand over my mouth, and tears soak my fingers.

Sloane puts her hand on my shoulder. "It's important for your recovery you try to stay calm."

"Where is he? He needs to come back. I just need him to come back." I sob.

"Then I guess it's good I'm back," Andre's voice booms.

I turn to the door. Andre walks toward me.

"We'll leave you two alone," I faintly hear Blaise say as Andre pulls me into his arms.

"Are you okay?" I cry out.

"Shh. I'm fine. You're the one we need to worry about. What's going on?" He pulls back and cups my cheeks.

"I don't really know. I just woke up. I...they said I've been here a week and have bacterial meningitis."

"From your back sores?"

"Yes. They got infected."

"Bacterial meningitis is serious. Let me talk to a doctor."

"No, wait. Please. Don't go yet." I tighten my grip around him.

He sits on the bed.

I reposition myself on his lap and lean into his chest. "Please tell me you're back, and this isn't a dream."

"No, baby, I'm here."

"Is everything over now?"

"Yes."

"They're dead?"

"Yes. Both Nicolas and Santiago. He won't ever hurt you again."

New tears fall. "But you're okay? He didn't hurt you?"

"I'm fine." He pauses and his eyes turn darker. "I made him suffer for what he did to you."

"What did you do?"

"I'll tell you some other time. I need someone to tell me what is going on with you."

"Please tell me now."

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