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The Void was spreading. In the distance, helicopters flew, weaving around tall buildings. Rapid flashes of light that indicated gunfire illuminated the streets. Winged nightmares had taken flight, a flock of five heading straight for the helicopters, airborne Fleet soldiers among them.

The civil defense sirens began their haunting call—late. They were late, but Shay knew, now that someone had made the decision to sound the alarm, the sirens would not stop.

“Please tell me that’s not where Eugene is,” Tanner murmured.

Shay merely cranked the wheel and stepped on the accelerator, heading straight into the heart of Yveswich.

24

Yveswich General Hospital

YVESWICH, STATE OF KER

Loren couldn’t stop shakingas Darien held her. She was curled up in his lap, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, his heart thumping steadily against her cheek.

How many more times could her mortal heart fail before it finally decided it had endured enough?

She had driftedelsewhereagain, only this was a different experience than the last. This time, she’d had no tangible form—no legs to run with, no mouth to scream with, and no dog running by her side down a flowered path. She was utterly alone, disembodied in a black space that roared with white noise, and it was only the sound of Darien’s voice that had brought her back. A bridge of colorful light she had managed to cross. The darkness had parted like eyes opening, bringing her back to life. Back tohim—her heart. Herhome.

She was very aware that she was clinging to him like a sloth to a tree branch—a very strong tree branch—but she didn’t want to go back there. Didn’t want to let go of him?—

“Did I hurt you?” Darien’s voice was gruff.

“I don’t think so,” she said around chattering teeth. Gods, the ground was so cold, but he was so,sowarm.

“Your chest?—”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re shaking, baby,” Darien’s deep voice rumbled from his chest into hers, his hands rubbing her back—being mindful of the bandages.

“I just need a minute,” she rasped, holding onto him for dear life. Gods, she couldn’t seem to stay angry with him for long. Not when it felt this good to be held by him.Just one more minute,her body begged, while her broken heart still wept over his sacrifice,demandingdistance from him. “Just one more minute,” she whispered. Darien stayed put, seeming content to hold her forever.

But another male voice said, “You need to get out of here.”

She looked up to see Roark standing with the rest of the group. The gunfire had died down, most of the threats handled, the parking lot bathed in blood. Loren knew the calm wouldn’t last. Shots were still being fired, but they were too far away to be considered an immediate danger.

“There will be more of that happening soon,” Roark added, turning his head to look at the soldiers regrouping nearby.

Darien slid one arm under Loren’s legs, shifting her lower half, his other arm supporting her back. “I’m going to pick you up—hold onto me.” To the others he said, “Get in—we’re leaving.”

She held on tight as he stood, lifting her off the ground, and when he set her on the truck seat she had to practically pry her fingers off him, her pinky snagging on the neckline of his battle-suit. Her head spun like a top, but luckily she stayed conscious, her lungs and heart functioning normally. Doors banged shut as the others got in, and Loren slid to the middle spot.

Darien spoke with Roark outside for a few moments, and then got in behind her, Roark closing his door for him.

Loren blinked. Roark just…closed his door for him.Was this real life, or was she still drifting someplace else?

Darien lowered his window. “Thank you.” When the glass was down all the way, and he offered Roark his left hand in thanks, Loren realized how agonizing it must’ve been when he was pumping her heart. She hoped she hadn’t caused him any damage.

Roark stepped forward and shook his hand, the gesture causing Loren to gape again. He was shaking Darien’s hand. Someone he surely considered lower than him. Rabble.

When he let go, he handed Darien a small black travel case with a zip closure and attached wristband. “Three more,” he said. “This is all I have, so I recommend making it back to Angelthene as soon as you can. What’s happening here…” His amber eyes swept across the city. “It isn’t good for anyone, but especially not her.” Loren’s skin prickled from the severity of his tone. “If you don’t put some distance between her and the portal, it’s likely that her heart will continue to have problems.”

Darien set the case on the seat between him. “I think I have a few spares in my car, but are you able to get us more?”

“When I get back later this week. I’ll speak with you then.” He nodded in farewell and stepped back.

“Bye,” Loren said quietly as Darien shut his window. Hi and bye—some of the only words she had ever exchanged with him.