Page 94 of Those That Defy the Realm

My focus becomes lethal as I regain my balance. Ty signals something to Bree, and I take quick stock of the fight to see Antares taking on three of the males, Phelan and two that were acting as guards.

Even without his power, he’s managing to keep the upper hand. Not that I can worry about that now. Every cell in my body has gone into hunt mode. I need to find my female.

CHAPTER 32

CLAIRE

My limbs burn.

It’s pitch dark in the room I’m in. I can’t see anything, but I can feel the presence of walls all around me. I’m not completely certain my eyes are actually open.

My head is throbbing and concentrating is a challenge, every thought in my brain has suddenly become a pain receptor.

There is a softness at my back, however. I would guess I’m on some sort of mattress but that’s as much as I can tell.

The liquid fire in all four of my limbs burns another round of searing heat up from my extremities to my core in synchronised waves. Breathing becomes near impossible until it subsides once more to a low humming sensation.

Moving is out of the question.

I don’t remember much. I know I was intercepted at the docks. That whole scene is still clear. It’s the after that’s muddled. Recalling vague male voices, I’m pretty sure I was blindfolded or something as I can only see glimpses of shadow and light as I search my memories.

Blood, the scent of blood is so strong it adds to the burning, setting my lungs on fire with the metallic odour. My stomach also seizes but I’m left with a queasy feeling. I think this might be my own blood. Maybe that explains the burning in my limbs, if my arteries have been severed.

But shouldn’t I be dead if that were the case?

I summon the tiny amount of strength I have left in an attempt to turn my head. It sends more shooting pains through my jaw.

Nope, movement isn’t an option.

Letting my eyes fall closed again, I try to listen. It takes some effort to tune out the sound of my own heartbeat pulsing in my eardrums, but once I do I hear noises beyond the room I’m in. There's banging and stomping like people are in a panic outside. Sounds of men yelling, but I can’t tell what they’re saying.

Suddenly, the sound of a door rattling close by makes my muscles instinctively tense. It sets off another round of fire waves up my limbs, and I almost scream out with the pain, only my voice is so hoarse no sound actually escapes.

The door rattles again, louder this time and is followed by a loud bang, like someone’s shoulder slamming into the wood. It shakes so loud the air over me seems to vibrate. I realise it's the door to this room that someone is trying to break into.

Hearing a grunt, I stop breathing altogether. If whoever is trying to gain access to my room doesn’t think there’s anyone in here, maybe they’ll move on.

I’m not that lucky. The body on the other side slams into the door once more and this time the lock gives.

“Dear gods above, Claire, I'm so sorry. I’m so terribly sorry. Fucking hell, what have they done to you?” It’s a voice I recognise, it’s gripped with fear, utterly devastated but still smooth and comforting. I ran from him because he hurt me so deeply I couldn’t face him, but my chest fills with nothing but joy regardless. I’m happy that he’s here.

He came for me.

I try to turn towards the voice, but my limbs give off another lashing of raging heat.

“Ssshhh, it’s okay. Don’t try to move.” A gentle hand lands on my chest, above my breasts and another comes to my head. They feel cool on my skin, even through the clothing covering my torso.

There’s a gentle tugging around my face. It turns out I did have a blindfold on, as the fabric slips free, dim light floods my retinas so my vision blurs for a few seconds.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m going to get you out of here, okay?” Henry says and I almost weep.

“The pain,” I manage to croak.

“I know. I know,” he soothes. His face comes into focus as he leans over me. “I’m going to seal these wounds then I’m getting you out of here.”

I nod my head a fraction. The wounds must be what is causing the relentless storm of pain in my limbs.

“This is probably going to sting, but it’ll be over soon,” Henry says before his face disappears from my view.