Page 74 of Mated to the Vikings

“Erik! It’s me. It’s Cassia. You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.”

“Don’t do that. He’s not okay. Look at his face. He’s… Oh, my God. We need to get out of here.”

My vision was blurred but I could still see them. They weren’t going to get away with this. I rushed toward them, grabbing the first one around the throat.

“No. Erik. Put her down. She’s with me. She’s going to help you.”

I knew the voice was female. I’d heard it before. She was the one. She was in the prison. She wasn’t going to get to me this time.

“What the hell?” The male voice skittered into my left ear, drawing my attention.

“Brexin. We have to get him sedated. He has no clue what’s happening to him. Please, help me.”

The male advanced and I knew what he was going to do. He was going to kill me. I lunged forward, catching him in the chest and pummeling him against a wall. I heard the sound of my own roar, wanting nothing more than to tear him to shreds. “I. Will. Kill. You.”

“That’s not going to happen. Get that fucking sedative ready!” he demanded.

“I’m trying. Almost.” Her voice penetrated my ears, ringing in the most melodic way.

I tipped my head in her direction. She was so beautiful, angelic in appearance. “What…” The sound was nothing more than a guttural growl, but as she approached, I was unable to hold back. Reaching for her. I had to get to her. I had to protect her. I had to have her. I had to…

“Calm down, baby. Everything is going to be all right.” She purred the words. They were so beautiful.

Hands grabbed me and I attacked. They weren’t going to take me alive.

“Brexin. Hold him. For God’s sake. It’s okay, Erik. Listen to the sound of my voice. It’s okay.”

I was knocked to the floor, pinned down. Everything was foggy, the pain excruciating. “No! Please… No!”

* * *

Cassia

“What in the hell just happened?” I dropped the syringe, covering his body with mine. I’d seen the murderous look in his eyes. At the end, he hadn’t recognized me at all. Every part of me was shaking. I glared up at Brexin, blinking away the tears, so thankful he’d been here. “We don’t have any more time.”

“Listen to me, Cassia. Your idea isn’t bad. I’ve already looked at the slides. You’re right about the blood and I think I’ve discovered something else.” Rowena’s voice was full of excitement.

“I can’t leave him. There’s no way to save him or the others. The disease is too strong. His bloodstream is riddled with it. We’ve lost. We’ve lost everything.”

Brexin eased me to my feet, caressing my arms. “The only way you can help Erik is if you do this. Trust in your abilities. Besides, there are others who need you as well.”

“No. My life isn’t complete without him.”

He jerked me forward, forcing me to look into his eyes. “I don’t know everything about this bullshit or what Erik and the others were forced to endure, but I do know you. You’re a strong and vivacious woman who refuses to give up. Don’t give up now. We all need you. Please.”

There was no way of describing the anguish. I opened my mouth to scream, to cry until I could shed no more tears. There was only silence.

“Help us,” he repeated.

“Cassia. We can do this together. Please,” Rowena encouraged.

“Take care of him. Make him comfortable and I need you to find the bastard who did this. I don’t give a fuck if he’s lying in the mud hurt. Bring him to me!” I had no doubt what I was capable of.

Brexin snickered. “I will do that with pleasure. I’m sending one of the guards down here to watch over you. How long will the sedative last?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I glanced at Erik one last time, wiping away the tears as soon as they slipped from my eyes. “I just don’t know.”

“Then I need to restrain him. He’s much stronger than he was before.” Brexin wiped my cheek with his knuckle. “We can get through this. Okay?”