Page 32 of Fire Touched

I step forward. Everything I want, in one little bottle. I stare at it, my hand trembling. Before I can change my mind, I reach through the barrier and take it, my heart pounding.

Chapter Sixteen

Katie

My lungs burn, unable to draw breath underwater. The Tide Witches call to me, dragging me down, deeper, deeper. My brain screams a distant warning, but all my focus is on the call.

Deeper, deeper, the voices say, pulling me into the warm embrace of the water.

Even as my lungs strain, my chest burning, I wade in, as though a rope lassoed around my middle tugs me in further. My mouth parts underwater, a bubble rising before my face, and water rushes into my mouth, snaking down my throat.

A small voice, much quieter than the Tide Witches’, tells me something is wrong. Something hurts. Panic sparks.

The siren song of my kin yanks me into the river, until the dark recesses of the water I had not yet touched embrace me. Despite the water forcing itself into my mouth and nose, I almost smile. Water welcomes me. It’s always welcomed me.

I shrug away the strange discomforts of my body, peace settling over me. I’m here. I’m home in the water. My lungs ache so much, I set a hand to my belly, but the pain drifts to the back of my mind. No. This is where I want to be. Where I need to be. Home.

A distant voice floats above me, but I don’t pay attention to it. Despite the moonlight, darkness edges around my vision. Perhaps I’ll go to sleep here, in the warm clutches of the water. What a nice idea.

Deeper, go deeper, the Tide Witches command.

I kick, propelling myself. Yes, deeper is good. Much nicer. I reach out, searching for the river’s floor. A whimper escapes my throat as some internal struggle wages on. I push it away. Not important. Deeper.

My hands shaking, vision darkening, I close my eyes.

A voice calls my name. My mother? The witches. Yes, my coven. Good.

My mouth wrenches open, my body forcing a breath I cannot take. Instead, a torrent of water rushes in, choking me. But the water is kind, and I do not worry, even as searing pain spills inside me.

I think it’s time to close my eyes. Yes, that will make it better.

‘Katherine!’ someone shouts, their voice is distant.

My vision goes dark, and I smile, glad to be embraced.

Chapter Seventeen

Killian

‘What the fuck, Katherine? Elijah! Moira!’ I shout loudly. I set Katherine on her back on the ground. Her face is pale. A few moments later, our friends—and Carter—come running out of the guesthouse.

Moira curses. ‘What happened?’

My hands are pumping my mate’s chest, between her breasts. ‘I don’t know. I felt a—a tug on the bond, and I guess it led me to her. She was in the river, drowning. Come on,’ I mutter.

Katherine’s face is white.

Moira kneels beside her. ‘She’s freezing.’ She calls on two plumes of fire, and starts rubbing heat into Katie’s chilled body.

Carter and Ella exchange a worried look. ‘How could this have happened?’ Ella asks. ‘She’s part Tide Witch… she can swim excellently.’

‘I don’t know.’ I lean down, pressing my mouth to hers. ‘Come on, baby, come back.’ I roll her on her side as a little water dribbles out. But not enough, not nearly enough. ‘Why isn’t this working?’ I shout.

Ella freezes, eyes wide.

Carter steps forward. ‘I think I can… take it out of her.’

‘Get away from her,’ I snap. The bottle burns in my jeans pocket. ‘This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you! She wouldn’t have been here, practicing…’

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