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Nodding, I reached for her hand, tugging her as close as possible. “I don’t know what we’ll find, but we should be ready to run if necessary.”
She pursed her lips. “You won’t be running anywhere. You’re only standing because of a potent mixture of adrenaline, lust, and the will to survive.”
“You talk so pretty, sweetling.”
“That’s not all I can do.”
With a grin, I led us out of the garage, taking much longer than anticipated. Callie wasn’t wrong. Now that I was no longer distracted, each step felt heavier than the last. I could feel the blood soaking into my shirt and beginning to drip downward.
If we didn’t reach the Powder Keg soon, I would collapse.
My vision tunneled as I swallowed, noticing my dry mouth. Spots darted in and out of my peripheral. Sweat trickled down my temples as I stumbled, leaning against Callie as we walked.
“I’ve got you. Keep going. We’re almost there.”
Liar. We’d only gone about half the distance.
At the next corner, I panted, slamming into the wall of a building and nearly crashing to the ground. “Go, Callie. You’re close. Tell them where to find me.”
“No way! I’m not leaving you.”
“You can’t stay out here. It’s too dangerous. Go. I’ll be right behind you,” I slurred.
A couple walked our way, and Callie pressed her body against mine, giggling. “Babe. You had too much to drink. Let’s get back to the hotel.”
They were too caught up in each other to notice us, but Callie’s quick thinking avoided a spectacle. When she leaned back, I frowned. My blood had smeared on her stomach and tank top.
“Gorgeous, you’ve got a little of my essence on you.”
“What a time to make a joke. C’mon, Hawk. We’re not stopping until we reach the Powder Keg.” She pulled on my arm, wrapping it around her shoulders. “Move. Now.”
Could you fall in love at first sight? Wasn’t that the most cliché, ridiculous, cheesy shit anyone ever came up with? How the fuck could you find your soul mate in a single afternoon?
My mind awakened as the thought lit up my brain.
Not just a soul mate. No ordinary bond. No.
A mate. The forever mate of a crow.
Stunned, I concentrated on moving one foot after another, trying hard not to crush Callie with my full weight. She couldn’t have been more than five foot six, and I towered over her at six foot four. My goddess. My curvy dream girl.
I didn’t even know I wanted her until I met Callie.
My brain fired in all directions, consumed with the knowledge unlocked in my head. What the fuck did this mean?
Caw...caw.
The crow’s ebony wings spread outward above us, sensing the connection I just formed. He chittered in the sky, squawking out a raspy, celebratory kraa.
My muddled thoughts struggled to comprehend the moment fully. I’d lost too much blood. As we reached the bar, I slipped to the ground as my legs gave out, careful not to pull Callie down with me.
She cried out my name, but I couldn’t muster the energy to move. “You have to get up, Hawk. Please.”
That wasn’t possible.
“Get help, gorgeous.”
My eyelids drooped as I slumped against the wall. Somehow, we made it to the entrance of the Powder Keg.
