Page 103 of Healer’s Betrayal

Kayla

Fear courses through me, and my heart is pounding so hard, I can barely hear anything over it. I stare at Alicia in horror. The blood is dripping down her arms freely, and I’m torn between knowing she deserves it but also wanting to help her. I can’t shake the fact that yes, she betrayed us; but she’s also the one who spent so many hours watching Noah for me. It tears me apart, watching; and I wonder for the hundredth time what our chances of escape are. I take in the vampires between us and the door, but my eyes keep getting drawn to the really scary one—the one who can control Jackson. I feel his hand brush mine, and I resist the urge to grab it. Neither of us are moving; we don’t want to draw the vampire’s attention back to us. And then Jackson speaks in my head.

I’m going to shift and take him down before he tries to control me again. As soon as I shift, I’ll clear a path for you. Get out of this room and run. Go hide; I’ll find you and get you out.

Jackson, that’s a terrible plan.

We don’t have any other options, Sweetheart. It will be okay; I’ll get you out.

His voice is resolute. What about you?

His fingers brush mine. I’ll be right behind you.

I intentionally brush his hand again. Don’t die.

Not planning on it.

I’m serious, Jackson. If something happens to you...I swallow hard, not sure that I understand the depths of my feelings for this guy. Surely it’s way too soon to feel this way about him.

It’s okay; this is normal for mates. For mates, it’s fast and intense.

Okay. It’s not just me, right?

He’s quiet a second. I can’t believe now is the time we’re having this conversation.

His words are pretty much a growl, even in my head. Yeah, timing might be a little bad, I admit, even as my eyes run around the room again.

We’re going to get through this, and then we’ll have this conversation again. But know this, you are not alone in your feelings. His pinky wraps around mine for just a quick touch. Ready? I hear the determination in his voice, and I take a deep breath.

I’m not stupid; I know the chances of us getting out of here are slim to none. But we’re going to at least try. Noah’s out there, and he needs me. He’s already lost our mom and dad; he won’t lose me too. I’m ready, I tell Jackson with resolve.

Go.

That’s the only warning I get. One second he’s standing beside me. The next second, his wolf charges the vampires. I don’t wait around to see what happens; I run towards the chaos. There’s screaming and blood and growling; it’s a cacophony of noise. Somebody tries to grab me, but I shove them away and continue running. I hit the hallway and keep running. I see a fire alarm and pull it, sending the alarms shrieking and water spraying. It adds to the chaos. Somebody grabs my arm, and I jerk away. “Kayla!” I spin to see a tall woman with dark hair. “I’m here to get you out. Come on.” I take a step back. “Ava sent me; I’m Sherese. I’m from Ava and Bryce’s pack.” Shouts sound behind us, and she grabs my hand. “Run!” She takes off, and I run hard to keep up with her.

“We have to help Jackson,” I call out.

“Hunter’s with him.”

Two vampires appear out of nowhere, and she explodes into action. I watch as she takes both of them down. “Come on.”

We only make it a few mores steps before a door opens, and three vampires surround us. I’m starting to get a feel for them. “Sherese,” one of them says. “I knew you’d come back.” He smiles, but it’s cold.

“Not staying, Shane,” she says moving towards me.

He snaps his fingers. “Get the healer.”

They converge on me before I know what’s happening. I struggle against them, refusing to go back. “Let go!” I twist and turn, kicking out like a mad woman.

“Healer!” a voice snaps, and the command stops me. My arms are jerked backwards at a painful angle, and I take in the vampire’s hand over Sherese’s heart. I see the claws and go still. Sherese is breathing heavy, but she meets my eyes. “You’re going to come with us, or I’ll rip her heart from her chest.”

“Okay, okay,” I say trying to placate him, anything to get him to leave Sherese alone.

Sherese’s eyes meet mine again, and she tries to tell me something with her eyes, but I have no idea what it is. “Whatever it is you’re planning, stop. You’re not taking the healer.”

Sherese meets my eyes, and I have no idea what to do. “Go.” At her word, I explode into action at the same time she does. She fights the guy that threatened her, and I free myself from whoever was holding me. I drop to my knees and then roll and then come back up. A vampire comes at me faster than I can track. I take a step back as the guy stalks me stoically. I search around me, desperately needing a weapon. Sherese comes up behind him and stabs him. “He won’t be down long. Let's go.” Her voice is grim, and we start running.

“Jade!” In the midst of everything, I’d forgotten about her. Sherese realizes I’m not running next to her anymore and turns back. “I have to get Jade, another healer. I’m not leaving without her.”