Page 95 of Blood Red Rage

“You're okay.”

“I'm okay.”

“Where the hell are you?” A pause, too small for anyone else to notice.

I noticed. “Working.”

“Don't give me that bullshit.”

A faint sound, almost a laugh. “There she is.”

“Viking.”

“I'm fine.” The bond shifted. Something moved through it. Pain? No, not exactly. Strain. The same thing I'd felt earlier. Only stronger now, my hand pressed against my chest.

“What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

My fear turned instantly into anger. “I swear to God, if you say that to me one more time…”

“Bryn.” His voice softened. Everything in me stopped. “Listen to me.”

I swallowed. “Okay.”

“I'm safe.”

I closed my eyes. “Are you hurt?” Silence. One second. Two.

My heart started hammering. “Viking.”

“Nothing that won't heal.” My stomach dropped.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I'm coming home.”

“When?” Another pause. I looked through the window. The first edge of the sun appeared over the horizon. My blood went cold.

“Viking.”

“I need you to stay calm.”

“No.”

“Angel.”

“Where are you?”

“Bryn…”

“WHERE ARE YOU?” Runa turned immediately. Layla stood. Sorcha muted the television. Viking exhaled into the phone, and through the bond, something hit me. Pain, real this time. It was deep, burning but underneath it was something else. Something I had never felt from him before.

It was not rage, nor the berserker fury. Viking felt weak. My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

“Don't.”

“You're hurt.”