“Get.” The leader scowled when I stayed stiff and silent. “Move!”
Rook’s voice filled my head.I know you’re procrastinating because you’re afraid of hurting me, but I’m fine. Honestly. Do it.
Her generosity broke me because she was right. Iwasafraid. So fucking afraid of hurting her.You’ll tell me if it gets too much?
Yes. You already know I will. Do it.
Hesitantly, I reached for her with that disgustingly dangerous part of my power.
She hissed under her breath as the bond went taut. My stomach churned as her heart touched mine, icy and pure...wide open and mine for the taking.
I groaned and shook my head, pulling back.I can’t...
Yes. You can.
I sucked in a breath as she reached for me instead. Her entire essence wrapped around me, clouding my senses, intoxicating me with her delicious scent. Blinding lust crippled me.
I wanted her.
No.
Ineededher.
It was getting to the point where I might literally die if I didn’t get inside her.
Then take me.She held my stare. Take whatever you need.
Her voice echoed like a siren, encouraging me to do terrible things.
I trust you...Her mind stroked mine and my need turned utterly feral. That instinctive part of me knew exactly what I needed. I didn’t need food or water or sleep. I just neededher.
Balling my hands, I followed the bridge linking our souls together and stepped into the centre of her existence. A full-body shiver ran through me as I touched her spirit.
I still couldn’t explain how or why, but her lifeforce rushed into me like quicksilver. It flooded my veins, eradicated the worst of my weakness, and steadied my failing body.
I pulled harder, drank deeper—
Rook gasped, but I barely heard her.
I kept tugging, coaxing, taking everything she would give me. If I couldn’t be inside her, then I’d drag her into me.
She whimpered—
Somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind, I felt her suffering. I felt her limbs grow heavier, her breath come shallower, struggling to keep up with what I was stealing.
“Move, Ashfall!” the leader bellowed from above. “Stop fucking around or we’ll start shooting again!”
Another voice joined in. “Open the gate! Now!”
Rook’s energy tasted like winter starlight—clean and powerful andmine. It filled my hollow places until I vibrated with potential. I reached for more and more andmore—
She staggered against me.
The fire ignited as if it’d been there all along—as if she was the perfect tinder. But then it coughed and spluttered out again. With a snarl, I sank into the world where the scritches of plant roots and flutters of avian hearts turned loud. The earth’s energy rose, soaking through my feet and taunting me to use it.
I tried to siphon off the plants and sun instead of Rook, but the moment I switched my attention from her to anything else, thegodawful nausea returned.
I latched back onto her—
