Page 81 of Virgin Lust

I couldn’t be stuck there until my powers returned. I had to get to Prudence. Tightening my fists, I ignored the petals falling at my feet and tried fading again but nothing happened.

“No!”

Fear pierced my heart as if someone shoved a blade through it. I rubbed my chest as the ache intensified. Wait! The feeling wasn’t mine alone. Bile rose in my throat. Oh, fuck, no! I sensed Prudence’s emotions through the bond. “Prudence!” I yelled. No.No, no, no.“Prudence!”

Since I couldn’t use powers, I ran through the darkness to find another way out. If I lost her… If someone took her from me, I would killeverything. But no matter how far I ran or screamed, there was no escaping the void.

I shouldn’t have left the portal chip. I knew her powers were acting up. As connected as we were, I should have known her struggles were mine to bear as well.

I’m so sorry, Princess.

If I couldn’t get to her in time…

Squeezing my eyes shut, I focused on Prudence’s emotions. I sensed fear and distress but no pain. She wasn’t hurt.Yet.

I gritted my teeth as Prudence’s worry increased. I stopped abruptly.

Something inside me said to lift my shirt. Maybe I needed the reminder that Prudence and I were connected beyond something more than the bond by looking at the pink goat.

In every way imaginable, I wanted to be linked to Prudence. Where she walked, I followed. I just wanted to love my Reaper with everything within me. My breath shook as I eased up the material.No….This can’t be real.

Her pink goat was missing. All I saw was the dark ink covering my skin.

I blinked, then swallowed heavily. It was that place, right? The emptiness here wanted me to think the worst.

Pain tore into my lungs. It felt like something snuck up and attacked me from behind. I cried out as my vision blurred. I sucked in a breath as I fell to my knees, unable to hold myself up, as the aches encompassed me.

Fuck!

Was my back broke?

I moved slightly to see.No, I’m fine.I just felt like I was dying. I rubbed my neck and began coughing. My throat felt like sandpaper, and I couldn’t breathe.

Then I knew.Prudence’s pain.

I screamed into the void as my soul burst out, dispersing my human form. My mate was in danger.

“Stay strong, Princess,” I croaked. “When I come, something willanswer for your pain.”

Twenty-Eight

Prudence

Derrick snarled. “I’ve been biding my time. Finally, my chance is here.”

Suddenly, the bad vibes made sense. Despite his gentle human appearance, the warlock was anything but kind. His devil-may-care smirk and blackened stare screamed wicked.

Joy wiped soot from her face. “What are you talking about?”

I covered my nose to block out some smoke, but within seconds, I was coughing nonstop.Hades!My eyes stung so badly. My lungs and throat hurt like I swallowed barbwire. I never realized the benefits my powers had until they were stripped away.

As fear knotted inside me, affecting me like the smoke, one thought hit me.Am I going to die here?

“Cover your mouth with something,” I yelled at Joy as I ripped off the bottom of my shirt and wrapped it around my nose and mouth.

“Your sister asked a question. Prudence, don’t interrupt,” Derrick said. He flicked his hand, and I sailed through the air.

“My lady!” Wallis and Marty screamed.

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