I tried to open my eyes to look at her one more time, but the nothingness consumed me, the darkness of unconsciousness threatening to drag me under.
Her voice whispered to me.
Just because you won’t be able to see me now doesn’t mean I’m not there with you every moment. Just think of me as your built-in pain in the ass.
The last thought I had before being swept away was my gratitude for finding her finally. She was everything I could have ever asked for. Despite not knowing her for long, the way our souls became one and everything clicked into place made it feel like an eternity.
Finally, I felt complete.
Chapter19
ALINA
My breath caught in my throat as I jerked awake, the fluorescent lights of the training room searing through my eyelids like a hot knife. I squinted against the oppressive brightness, gritting my teeth together as I groaned in discomfort.
Was all of that a dream?
If you wanted it to be a dream, I have bad news,Devorare murmured in a sassy tone that made me picture her with her hand on her hip.But if you don’t want it to be a dream, here I am. You’re welcome.
Thank fuck I didn’t go through all of that for nothing.
I tried to push myself up from the cushiony mat, but I felt like an invisible force was pressing me down, making even the slightest movement impossible. I let my head collapse back against the mat, feeling the immense weight of gravity bearing down on me. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I fought to maintain any semblance of control over my body.
Yeah, you’re down for the count, girlfriend. Chill out for a bit and let your mates pamper you.
Why the hell did you choose this as our bonding method? Are you a masochist, Dev?
The voices around me seemed to come from a great distance, distorted and muffled like I was submerged in a deep pool. I tried to take slow, even breaths to calm my racing heart and steady my attention on my surroundings, but anxiousness crawled beneath my skin, making it difficult to focus.
I hated feeling weak and defenseless.
It’s not my fault other soul weapons just go around willy-nilly letting anyone wield them if they so much as sneeze the correct way. I wanted my wielder to prove their dedication to me. What better way to do that than to stab yourself?
You’re fucking crazy.
And you were destined for me, so what does that say about you?
I attempted to open my eyes as I felt a hard object pushing against my lips, causing them to part slightly and inviting a trickle of hot, salty blood to enter and fill my mouth. A low, guttural sound escaped me as the sharp points of my fangs slowly descended from their hidden place inside my gums.
The first bag of blood was replaced by a second, then a third, and then more. I felt my eyes roll back into my head as the dark liquid filled my veins. An overwhelming rush of pleasure coursed through my body, like an orgasm, but somehow more intense and consuming. Every inch of my body seemed to tingle with anticipation as the nourishment filled me.
I could feel the damage to my heart, bone, and muscle being repaired piece by piece.
Then suddenly it came to a halt. Glaring at whoever was helping me, I let out a grumble of discontent.
“Shhh, it’s okay, baby girl,” Andrei soothed as he gathered me in his arms, letting me slump against him, incapable of doing anything else. “We’ll get you more blood, but we’re going to get you cleaned up. Lincoln and Drake are edging closer and closer to killing someone just to get their fury out the longer they see you covered in your own blood like this.”
Guilt slammed into me at the thought of what I’d put them through, but it was something I had to do. I wouldn’t change what I’d done or take it back, ever. Though, it didn’t escape me that not only was Andrei able to see through his fear or anger at what happened to me and take care of me, but he was also making decisions to help lessen the blow to Lincoln and Drake.
These were the moments that proved I was right in forgiving him and holding onto the truth of what I knew about him from almost the very beginning. He was a good soul.
It’s hard to stay mad at him, but he’s still not my favorite.
A huff came from me as I burrowed into Andrei’s warmth. You’d think since she was bound to me that she wouldn’t be able to have a favorite.
Oh, yeah? Who is your favorite?
The way Drake does that thing with his tong—
