Page 48 of Awakening Storm

“Please. If he’s there, we’ll take him with us. If not—” she swallowed hard, forcing the words out even though they were difficult to speak “—then we’ll leave.”

“Hurry,” he bit out.

Aidan led the way to the appropriate room. The door was half-closed, and he pushed it opened. Rhianna sensed from the way his body stiffened that something was horribly wrong. She pushed her way in, stopping with her chest slammed up against Aidan’s arm.

Her gaze darted straight to Katsu, who hung from a rope attached to a beam on the ceiling. She gasped, sharp pain radiating through her as her heart pounded hard against her breastbone.

“Is he . . . ?” She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Yes,” he said, his voice soft and sad.

“Maybe we could use the scepter or ring to—”

“We can’t bring him back.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes. “We don’t know how to use these. For all we know they might not do anything but evil work. It’s too risky.”

She pressed her lips together, and her chin fell to touch her chest. She knew he was right. But it hurt. God, it hurt. After all her great-grandfather had endured, after all this time, she had hoped to deliver him from this awful place. Hot tears slid down her cheeks.

Aidan walked over to Katsu, took him down, and rested him on the floor.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I wish there was more we could do”—he held his hand out for her to take—“but we must go.”

* * *

Aidan led her fromthe castle, squeezing her hand in his. Now that the worst was over, she seemed exhausted. Her feet dragged with every step, her limps hanging loose. When they were outside, he paused. “You are too tired.”

“No,” she said faintly. “I can make it.”

He presented her with the staff. “Here. Carry this. I’ll change into my tiger and you can ride down the mountain.”

Before she could protest, he transformed, stretching his muscles and testing his injured shoulder. It hurt a little but nothing he couldn’t stand. Then he stood there, waiting for her to climb onto his back.

After a moment, she did.

Aidan broke into an easy run as Rhianna lowered her chest against him and held on. When he came to the drawbridge and the gorge below it, he jumped and changed into his eagle, taking care to keep her weight centered over his back. They soared for a mile or so, and then he returned to his tiger once more as they came into town.

People peered out the windows, and when they caught sight of a tiger and his woman, they ran into the streets. Aidan halted and changed to his human form. A buzz filled the air as the people around them whispered.

“Is that Theodora’s staff?” one man finally asked.

“Yes. We have the staff and ring,” Aidan told him. “And we’re going to see if they will take us out of Riam and back to our world.”

“Take us, too!” someone yelled.

“Yes, do not leave us here!” shouted another.

The crowd pushed against them. At the back of the group, Aidan spotted Steve, Sean, and Dillon.

Aidan held up both hands, palms out. “Wait. Wait. Anyone who wants to can come with us.”

The people cheered and followed close behind as Aidan led them to the spot where they’d entered. Worry began to niggle in Aidan’s belly. He wasn’t sure how everyone was going to make the transition. Some of these people were very old. What effect would crossing over to the real world have on them, if any? Would it kill them instantly?

He quickly explained the situation to the group, and every person agreed to transfer out of this universe, no matter the consequences. No explanation was needed. Aidan understood the need to be released from this pain, this prison. In small groups, they silently joined hands.

“You took the ring from her, you should do the honors,” Aidan said to Rhianna.

“I don’t know if I can.” She swept her tongue over her upper lip. “What if I mess up?”

“Just try,” Dillon said. His words were followed by others, softly encouraging her.