Page 144 of A Sunwoven Ascent

What is it? Where are you?

I’m heading back to the pack. He let a second pass before adding, They’re here.

I’ll come to you, she said immediately.

No. Stay where you are. Please, Evelyne.

I will make sure everyone is safe first before coming to you.

For fuck’s sake, why couldn’t she ever follow his command?

Cillian is on his way home. Stay with him.

Cillian? But he is asleep… She paused. Anger and fear flooded the bond.

Kaldrek pushed harder, sending the same reassurance to his packmates with every stride.

I’m coming. I’m coming. I’m coming.

When he reached camp, he skidded to a stop.

Everyone was calm. No Noskari.

He couldn’t even sense them anymore.

Relief tore through him. Both packs were unharmed. But Evelyne’s fear still burned through the bond, stronger now.

The packs are all right, he sent. The Noskari are gone.

For a few breathless moments, there was only silence.

Then her voice reached him.

They are not gone, Kaldrek.

Her voice trembled in his mind.

They came here.

Chapter 57

Alaric rolled over and stared at Heidara, eyes closed, hair draped over her bare shoulders, looking like an absolute angel next to him. He pushed a strand of hair out of her face and leaned in to kiss her forehead. He could stay like this forever, lying in bed, staring at her. This was all he’d ever wanted in life.

Alaric stood to walk to his window and allow just a bit of fresh air. He knew this was different scenery for her, but at least she could hear the night sounds with the window open, and feel the cool night breeze slip through.

A click of the latch and a push to feel the wind brush against his bare chest and face. It felt like it had been searching for him endlessly. But when it caressed his body in an embrace, he stilled.

Someone needed help. No, that wasn’t it. Was it?

Heidara groaned. “Come back over here. It’s cold.”

The wind grew stronger and whipped against his face. Like it was trying to slap him awake. Listen to me, it seemed to say. So he closed his eyes and forced himself to listen.

“Alaric?” she whispered from the bed.

He couldn’t answer, couldn’t move. He was stuck in place and the air passed through him like he was a tunnel. The coldness reminded him of the creature who once tore into his body, pulled him under a deep cold pool of black, and almost ruined his life.

Flashback after flashback crashed through him. The words it hissed over and over again.