I grab onto him, his mouth hot against my skin. “This is impossible.”
He wraps his arm around my waist and lifts me, pressing me against his chest as he claims my mouth with a growl.
I twine my arms around his neck, holding onto him as he steals my breath, wiping every bit of incredulity from my mind with each swipe of his tongue.
Something else explodes, another burst of light and sound. He ignores it, holding me tightly, setting my body on fire with his touch until I’m reeling.
When he sets me back on my feet, I feel a special sort of vertigo. Floating, effervescent, almost upside down.
He puts his palm to my cheek, his touch warm. “Now I need you to listen, my Blood. I won’t be back to the base. Not until this is over. I expect you to remain there. Stay underground. Stay safe.”
“Over? What do you mean over?”
He doesn’t answer, his face solemn. His silence sows worry inside me like seeds in a field.
“Valen, what are you talking about? What are you planning?” I demand. “I haven’t found the right proteins for the poison yet. I can’t?—”
“We’re out of time.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Why are you saying that?”
“Because Gregor knows about the base.Yourbase.”
My stomach drops. “How?”
“I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter anymore. After I’m done here, he’s given orders for a full assault to wipe out the heart of what’s left of the country. Everyone inside will die. And if Irefuse, he’ll compel me. The basewillfall unless I can stop him. I have to try.”
Goose bumps break out along my skin. “No. We’re close. We’re so close. We could have a vaccine soon. And the poison, I’m certain I have what I need; I just have to find it. I need more time.”
“There is none.” His voice is softer now, scaring me more deeply than his fury ever could, his eyes luminous in the dark. “There was never enough.”
“Valen.” I clutch his shirt, the enormity of what he’s saying making my knees go weak. “Don’t.”
“Kedves verem.” He holds me in his arms, his lips in my hair as he murmurs in his ancient language.
“Valen, please.” Tears choke me. “Please, don’t do this.”
“Forgive me.”
I wake in a cold sweat, the hum in my veins gone. “Valen!” Despite the panic rising like a black tide, I close my eyes and concentrate on him.
Nothing.
There’s nothing there.
Our link is gone. Not just quiet. Severed. Numb.
I burst into tears, an integral piece of me shattering, the shards piercing every organ, every vein. He’s gone. That small, wiry thread between us that seemed to tie to a spot beneath my ribs is silent.
I clutch my chest, my heart still beating as I struggle to catch my breath.
“No.” I wipe my eyes and throw my legs over the side of my bunk. “No.”
16
“—stop or I’ll have to restrain you, ma’am!” My guard yells as I tear along the hallway, cold concrete beneath my bare feet.
I turn, realize I’m going the wrong way, double back and almost wind up in his grasp. “Leave me alone!” I sprint again, hopefully going the right way, my heart pounding as he gains on me.
