Violet had rejoined my side, smiling as she looked down at the dead body of her kidnapper.
“That was hot as fuck. I’m all hot and bothered now.”
I laughed, tugging her into my chest. “Perfect, now you know how I’ve felt since I watched you kill Bitch Face.”
“Ew, turn your ear pieces off,” Hemlock’s voice chirped in my ear.
“Shut up,” Eva scolded. “Let them be in love, asshole.”
“They can be in love, just as long as I don’t have to hear it.”
“I thought you liked listening,” Whisper joined in. “Or do you?—”
“Shut up,” Violet cut him off.
Whisper’s laugh was diabolical, but I got us back on track.
“Are you guys at the meeting point?”
“Yes. The only things missing are you two.”
“See you in a minute,” I said before turning off my ear piece, then Violet’s.
“What—”
I cut her off by crashing my lips into hers.
For the first time in twenty-nine days, I could finally breathe again. Violet was in my arms, kissing me like I was her whole world, and she was safe.
No matter how strong she’d been the last twenty minutes, I had no doubt that it would fade and she would struggle. She may not be fully okay in this moment, it may take her a while to move forward, but I would be there every step of the way.
50
THE VOLUNTEER
I askedAustin not to take us directly to the meeting spot. I needed a minute for the rest of my plan and I wasn’t sure I wanted the others to know how powerful I was. He brought us a safe distance from the mountain, no questions asked. Still close enough to hear the alarm blaring but far enough that we would be safe from what I was about to do.
I took my first breath of fresh air in weeks, enjoying the moonlight on my skin for a few seconds. He came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed my temple.
“I missed your smile,” he whispered, moving his lips to my cheek. “Don’t get me wrong, all those sadistic grins really got me going, but this smile is my favourite.”
I laughed, leaning against him, finally letting myself relax.
I got out. He got me out.
“I love you. Thanks for coming to save me.”
“You’re kidding, right? You totally saved yourself. I was just along for the ride. Power over all four elements.” He blew out a breath. “You didn’t need me.”
“Yes, I did.”
I wouldn’t have held strong for as long as I did if he hadn’t been there. I wanted to throw up while I watched those rocks hit Amber. But he was standing at my side, gripping my hand like an anchor.
And when I saw Dickhead I’d wanted to coil into myself, back into that corner of my mind I ran to every time I saw him. But Aus was holding me in his arms so tight, I felt like I could do anything.
So I pushed through it.
He detected the way my voice wavered right away and spun me around.
