Page 247 of Volik

“I will kill you because he will have a moment between his heart stopping and his death, when he will know that you are dead.” He grins.

And I see it.

The madness in his eyes.

He’ll never see reason.

He won’t stop until my mate is dead.

… Or until he’s dead.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this.” He shakes me.

I tighten my hold on his arm, and I mumble.

“What was that?” He pulls me closer.

I spit in his face.

His roar is drowned out by the feel and sound of his hand cracking across my cheek.

“You disgusting bitch. I’m going to⁠—”

He jerks his attention to the side. And despair fills my stomach when I see a pitch-black doorway framed in glowing gold magic.

He has a portal.

A druid steps through.

It’s not Dread. The person is much smaller than him. But their robe is tied shut, and even their hands are hidden in the long sleeves, so I can’t see a single thing about them. Except the golden glow coming from beneath their hood.

Morell walks us toward the portal. And my panic doubles.

If he’s using a portal to get away, he might not be waiting to kill me in front of Volik.

I assumed that was his plan. Figured he’d want to make Volik watch.

And I assumed I just had to waste time. Give Volik a chance to find me.

So he could save us.

But if Morell doesn’t wait… then no one’s coming to save me.

And I’ll never see Volik again.

My blood thrums painfully fast through my veins.

I close my eyes.

And I focus on the weight inside my chest.

I think about Volik.

I think about the way he makes me feel.

I think about pulling him to me, the way he draws me to him.

I focus on the weight swirling inside me.