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A solid lump forms in my throat, and I try to swallow.

I can do this.

I swallow again and force the words out through parched lips. “Khaosti? It’s me, Amber. I’m here to get you out.”

Nothing moves, and I force my frozen limbs into action. One small step at a time. The dull glow from the corridor seeps into the cell forming a little patch of light just inside the door, and I halt before stepping out of it, not ready to go completely into the void.

Jesus, it freaking stinks in here.

“Khaosti?”

The growl comes again. My eyes adjust a little, and I can make out a few more details. The cell is miniscule maybe nine feet by nine feet. I’ve seen Fury, Khaosti’s beast, and he is not in any way small. From nose to tail, he’s probably longer than nine feet. My eyes prick. I remember how he used to love to run, all the power, and strength.

Caged.

And he’s been stuck in this place for over a month. I think I’d go feral as well.

Have I mentioned recently how much I fucking hate Khronus? It’s inconceivable that he could do this to his own son. And it’s not for the first time.

Right now, Fury is plastered against the far corner of the cell as far away from me as possible. I can hear his harsh breaths.

I hold out a trembling hand. “Come on, you know me. Take a sniff. You once told me I smell good.” I shuffle forward a little.

“Be careful,” Sheela whispers from behind me.

At the sound of another voice, Fury explodes into action, leaping forward and crashing into me. I don’t have time to getout of the way, and I go over backwards at the weight of him, slamming into the floor. And then he’s on me. His hot, fetid breath in my face, crimson eyes staring down into mine.

Fury snarls, a low guttural sound, and for a moment, fear overtakes my mind. He curls his lips in a sneer. It reminds me so much of Khaosti that the fear recedes a little. He’s crouched over me, paws on either side of my shoulders, almost drooling in my face. Yeah, nice. At least, he hasn’t ripped my throat out. Not yet anyway. So I’m counting that as a win.

I lick my lips, and he follows the movement. Staring deep into his eyes, I search for a glimpse of the man inside. But right now, he’s all wolf. Tears prick my eyes. I can’t bear to see him like this. “Khaosti, please come back to me. I need you. I can’t do this alone.”

I want to tell him I love him, but the words stay locked in my throat. I’ve tried to tell myself that I’m over his betrayal. But it’s not totally true.

I wriggle an arm out from under him and slowly reach out and rest my hand on the side of his neck. A jolt of electricity passes between us, tingling along my nerves, stirring butterflies in my middle. The crimson eyes blink, and I know he senses it too. Beneath my palm, I can feel his rapid breathing, and it occurs to me that he’s as terrified as I am.

I remember Sheela telling us that Khaosti’s one wish was that I stay away. And yet, here I am. His worst nightmare. He’s probably pretty pissed at me right now.

“We need to go,” I say. “If we don’t leave now, your father will catch me. You don’t want that do you?” Obviously, he doesn’t answer, or maybe his eyes narrow a little, and he wrinkles his nose. At least he’s listening. I think. “Well, I don’t. Your father’s a fucking psycho. So be a good puppy dog, and let’s both get out of here.”

His eyes narrow further, until they’re blood-red slits in his black furry face. I’m pretty sure he understands me—well, maybe seventy-five percent sure. He once told me he understands stuff in his beast form. But I’m guessing the whole feral thing has messed with his brain functions.

“Or better still,” I push on. “Shift. I know you’re in there, Khaosti, so come back to me. Please.”

Nothing. I grit my teeth and try to come up with a way to get through to him. “You’re just being stubborn. Well, I’m not leaving without you. So if your dad catches me, and tortures me, then it’s all down to you.” I sniff. “I hope he makes you watch!”

“I think I can hear movement,” Sheela whispers from behind me. “The guards must be waking.”

Crap.

At the sound of her voice, Fury’s muscles tighten, and a growl rumbles out of his mouth.

“Khaosti,” I snap. “Get a grip. It’s Sheela. She’s here to help you.”

His hackle rises and he growls some more. I resist the urge to box his ears.

“Should I try to send him to sleep?” Sheela mutters.

I glance at her. Only her head is peering around the edge of the door.