Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(25)

“Stop. Please,” I heard Caden plead.

“You’ll kill her before we find out where she’s been hiding,” someone else—it had to be the ape man—warned.

The pressure continued.

“Hey!” the ape man shouted more sharply a few moments later.

The pressure subsided as my attacker stopped whatever he was doing to me. He held my body up as my head lolled back. I didn’t have the strength to lift it anymore.

“Strange. Her blood doesn’t taste like anything,” I heard my attacker say, followed by, “She’ll cooperate more as one of us.” His voice seemed distant, even though he was standing right next to me.

Everything seemed distant.

And then I felt that uncomfortable pressure again. This time a new sensation came with it, like an inoculation pumping something into me to snake through my veins. It carried a warm, numbing tingle through my limbs. What can it be … poison?

Something sharp and blistering hot suddenly stabbed me in the chest. I moaned feebly, all I could muster. Seconds later I was falling; my body hit the ground like a rag doll at the same time that I heard a skin–peeling shriek. Was that me screaming? No, it came from beside me. Caden!

I struggled to turn my head. My attacker was convulsing on the cave floor like an epileptic.

“You alright?” a voice called.

Another screech sounded. The cave plunged into complete darkness.

I faded in and out of consciousness, unable to move, my breathing strained and irregular. I had no idea how much time had passed since the lights went out—seconds? Hours? Only silence and darkness surrounded me.

“Caden?” I finally whispered, my voice feeble.

“Shhh … it’s over,” a deep, soothing voice murmured. Something cool stroked my cheek. A hand, I think. I felt my body shift slightly and then I was being cradled in arms—warm, protective arms. Caden’s arms.

“What … happened?” I asked.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay,” Caden said, his hand tenderly cupping my chin, followed quietly by, “Please be okay.” His thumb caressed the corner of my mouth.

“I’m … cold.”

“Here. Let me help you.” There was a gentle tugging as something slid over my head—my shirt. Oh, right. I was only half–dressed. Why was I only … oh right.

“Sorry about earlier. You were too slow. It was the only thing I could think of,” he apologized softly.

My lips crooked into a tiny smile as I recalled that incredible kiss. The smile only lasted until I remembered the excruciating pain that had followed.

“There’s a hole … in my chest … It was on fire,” I croaked.

Caden’s hands fumbled with my shirt, his fingertips gently inspecting me, careful not to expose or touch anything inappropriate. It sent a quiver through my limp, weak carcass of a body. My heart began to wallop against my chest wall, as if in its last–ditch effort before handing in its resignation.

“No holes. No fire,” Caden confirmed gently.

“What did he … do to me?” I panted, tears welling up in my eyes. Something about blood and the taste, I remembered that much.

“You’re okay,” he said again.

“I can’t see. Am I blind?”

I heard Amelie’s voice then. “What happened?”

“Light, please,” Caden requested softly and in the next instant a torch was burning again. Caden looked down at me, worry tarnishing those perfect jade eyes. Rolling my head slightly, I saw ape man lying facedown on the ground, another torch jutting out of his back. My attacker lay motionless where I had seen him last, his glassy, unfocused eyes assuring me he was dead.

“Where’s Rachel?” Caden quietly asked Amelie.

“Dealing with the last of them,” Amelie responded levelly, her concerned eyes never leaving me.

Caden turned back to gaze down at me. Despite everything, I sighed. I could happily stay like that forever.

He leaned forward, his mouth against my ear. “Don’t tell her. Rachel can’t find out. Please.”

I nodded feebly.

“Take her for me,” he whispered to Amelie.

I felt a slight jostle and then Amelie was in Caden’s place as my cradler.

Caden left, dragging the ape man with him.

I lay in silence, mulling over his plea. Of course Rachel couldn’t find out about the kiss. It would hurt her even if it hadn’t meant anything. If she had a heart underneath that prickly exterior. Highly unlikely. What would she do if she found out? I didn’t want to find out. She seemed like the vicious, jealous type.

“ … and it killed him?” I heard Rachel saying in her typical detached voice as she strolled in, Caden and Bishop behind her.

Bishop grabbed my attacker’s leg and began dragging him away, mumbling, “Let’s just make sure.” He glanced at me as he passed by, the same worried look on his face that Caden and Amelie wore.

“Are you okay?” Fiona asked, crouching down beside me.

“I will be … when I wake up from this nightmare,” I whispered. I keep forgetting this isn’t real …

She gave me a reassuring smile—a smile that slid from her face when she glanced up at Amelie. “Do you think she’ll change?” she whispered.