Page 92 of Siren’s Secret

A hand clasped over her mouth and another wrapped around her waist, yanking her back. The smell of sulfur and rot invaded her senses. The fucker had steeped his glove in some foul liquid. If she wasn’t shielded at all times, she would be unconscious by now. Wave was sure about that.

She fought and thrashed, looking for a way out, while holding her breath. Think quickly!

The panic that clawed at her insides tried to overpower everything and paralyze her.

Think! Think! Think!

She did the only thing her mind came up with and conjured a storm. Water and wind howled and electricity ran over her body, shooting out indiscriminately. The being behind her jerked, then jerked again, his hold on her face loosening.

Wave choked in a breath and screamed. “Let go of me!”

The room was a mess when her storm gained strength. The arms holding her fell away and Wave stumbled forward. She fell to her knees and coughed, trying to rid herself of the foul smell that still clung to her skin. Her vision wavered, and she fought to focus. She had to get back up. Dizzily, Wave spun around.

The room was empty.

She blinked. Blinked. Her eyes refused to open anymore.

Chapter 47 – Jarred

Jarred’s phone woke him up. It sounded like every phone in the house was ringing at the same time. Sleepily, he thumbed the screen and woke in a second when Chrissy’s voice came through.

“Help! Someone’s attacking Wayla!”

“What? Where?”

“At the dorms!” There was a loud crash in the background and Chrissy gasped, “Oh god!”

“I’m coming!” Jarred threw the phone on the bed and grabbed the first pair of pants he found. “Talk to me, Chrissy.”

Someone was banging on his door and Jarred yanked it open, still half dressed. Sinister, phone in hand, was on the other side.

“I’ve got him, Ginny. Open the front door. I’ll portal there.”

Jarred finally got his pants on and Sinister clasped his arm without waiting for more. The world warbled, the connection to Chrissy cut out, and then they were through. The front door flew open just as Sinister’s portal closed and, panting, Ginny stood in the doorway.

Jarred pushed past her and toward the crackling of lightning. He jerked the door open and almost fell on his ass when the storm pushed against him. The entire room was torn to pieces and soaking wet. There was glass everywhere and at first, he didn’t see Wave. Only his bond guided his attention to the slumped figure, mostly hidden under a splintered bed and bedding.

There were more voices, Sinister barking orders, phones ringing. He ignored it all when he crawled to Wave and frantically looked her over. She was breathing and looked to be in one piece, but there was a smell in the room that made his jaguar growl and she wasn’t responding to him. In their bond she felt… unconscious?

“I’ll get Ilijas,” Sinister said and disappeared. Zahir came through with Marc at the same moment.

“Sparkle!” Marc rushed over, ignoring the storm that was still rolling around, contained in the room, but not dissipating. “Wayla, baby, wake up.” He almost shook her, but Jarred slapped his hand away.

“No,” he growled, his jaguar trying to break through.

“What—” Marc turned to him, but Jarred tapped his nose and frowned.

“Something’s not right. She smells wrong, but I can’t see anything. The bond is too… sluggish. Ilijas…” His broken off sentences were enough to get through to Marc, though. His shields flared up, encompassing Wave into them as his eyes scanned the room.

In no time, Sinister was back with Ilijas, who stopped at the doorway. “Little help here, Marc.”

“What? Oh,” Marc said, when they realized the storm didn’t allow Ilijas to enter. It battered Marc and Jarred, but Ilijas was barred by a barrage of lightning. The same lightning kept flashing around the window.

Marc reluctantly left Wave and moved to grasp Ilija’s hand, pulling him into his shield. Together, they made their way back, while Sinister muttered something about getting the rest of the group. Most of them were already on their way.

“I called Irishen,” Diana called out from the doorway but didn’t try to enter.

Jarred threw her a grateful glance before focusing back on Wave.