Just as we turned toward it, a nearby building exploded in flames. The blue and green fire burst high into the air, sending out a thick, noxious smoke. I stumbled in surprise. The house was fully overwhelmed seconds later.
My heart hammered hard as I pushed myself forward, desperate to see Jasmine again. Several more houses caught fire as we passed them.
We got to the house quickly. The light was emanating from the gardens that we had worked on together, bright blue, edged with white. Jasmine’s wolf form dashed along the road. I almost cried out for her until I saw Owen in pursuit. He snarled audibly as he chased her. Her ears were pinned to her skull, tail tucked into her stomach as she ran.
I burst out in a howl and dodged toward them. Jasmine’s head whipped around briefly before she spun and tore in the opposite direction. As she did so, her feet slipped out from under her. She scrambled to get back to her feet, but in just those few seconds, Owen was nearly on her.
Blood. I’d like to taste some blood. I started to smile at the thought, then realized what I was thinking. My steps faltered as a cold spike shot through me. We weren’t cured after all. The concoction Jasmine gave us must have only repressed the darkness’s control of us.
My distraction cost me, and I fell behind. Owen snapped at Jasmine, and she rolled away, narrowly escaping his teeth. She yelped in fear. I let out a burst of speed, already knowing that I was too far, that I wouldn’t be able to help.
Renz smashed into Owen, sending him skidding over the asphalt. Jace was there next, using his weight to pin Owen down. Owen thrashed, snapping at both of them, and they were forced to release him and jump back. I ran in, nipping at Owen’s hindquarters. He whirled and I jumped back.
His eyes were pure black from corner to corner. He went for my throat, and I jumped aside. Renz jumped onto his back,knocking him down again. His claws scraped against Renz’s belly as he kicked him off, making him fly into the sidewalk.
“Don’t let him bite you,” Jasmine cried. I risked a glance toward her. She’d taken human form again and was rushing toward the glowing gardens. “Biting spreads the darkness!”
Jace, Renz, and I surrounded Owen, keeping him going in circles until suddenly the light flared brighter. We all flinched back at the stabbing brightness, but none as much as Owen. He whimpered, then turned and tried to run. I jumped on him while Renz grabbed a mouthful of his flank and Jace caught him by the scruff. The three of us pinned him in place as the light washed over us.
Owen relaxed.
I breathed in, my lungs feeling like they were expanding for the first time. The lingering bloodlust that had been clouding my mind dissipated. Jace and Renz both closed their eyes and lifted their faces, the light caressing their cheeks. The warmth of it wrapped around me.
I shifted to human form and headed toward the garden boxes. Jasmine stood in the middle of them, her hands stretched out to either side of her, fingers digging into the dirt. Her long hair danced around her, and her eyes were wide and luminous. The sight was so beautiful and magical, I nearly dropped to my knees and worshiped her like a goddess.
The other three joined me. I glanced quickly at Owen, glad when I saw his eyes were back to normal. The light spread out from around us. The fires that raged so close blinked out as soon as the light touched them. The heavy, black smoke washed away.
And Jasmine was clear, brightly lit, so very beautiful. My heart swelled to see her. It felt as though I had been drowning,and she was my life preserver. I didn’t know when it happened. Maybe it had always been this way.
But finally, finally, I knew the truth. I loved her.
The light kept spreading. It moved further and faster, spreading until the entire town was lit up. Jasmine’s knees started to buckle. I rushed forward, my stomach tightening, but the light flared brighter again. It was so bright that I couldn’t see, and I threw my arm over my eyes, shielding them.
When the light faded away, the streetlamps flickered on. They buzzed slightly above us, flickering a little as the electrical grid came back online. Jasmine slumped to one side, grabbing the side of the garden box.
“I did it,” she whispered. A line of dark blood trickled from her nose. “I think I did it. I think we’re safe again.”
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she collapsed. I jumped forward, scooping her into my arms just before her head could hit the garden boxes. I lifted her up, laughing, but it died quickly. Her head lolled backwards, her body so limp I had a difficult time holding her. I carefully lowered her, cradling her close to my chest.
“Jasmine?” I called.
“What’s wrong?” Renz demanding, pressing closer.
Jace checked her pulse and his face went white. “I can’t find a heartbeat.”
My own heart squeezed. No. No! We didn’t go through all of this just to lose her! I laid her flat on the ground, clutched my hands together, and started to give her CPR. “Don’t you dare leave us,” I breathed. “Jasmine, come back. Come back, my love. You have to come back.”
Chapter 26 - Owen
I sat next to the infirmary bed, my hand in Jasmine’s as she lay sleeping. It was coming up on twenty-four hours since the light swept through our territory, and she’d collapsed. The doctors said there was nothing wrong with her. They had done all sorts of tests, and her body was healthy and strong. The only issue was that she wouldn’t wake up.
Renz was determined to see it as a simple case of exhaustion, but I wasn’t so sure. She just looked so still and pale. My wolf wouldn’t settle, no matter how tired I was. And I was tired. This was the first time I’d sat down in hours.
The four of us were taking shifts with Jasmine, since none of us wanted to leave her alone, and yet we had a great deal to do.
I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry about everything, Jasmine. I blinded myself for so long. I wish I could take it all back and treat you the way you deserved from the start.”
Jasmine’s head turned into my kiss. “You looooove me.”
