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He’s dressed as I last saw him, his clothes in the same condition—only now, they hang from histhinframe.

Slowly, he rolls his head to face me.

He’saged.He always looked older than his years. But now, he looksbeyondthat. His eyes are closed.

Then, theyopen.

And they glowcrimsonin the darkness.

Silver glints at his lip as he gives asnarl.

I swallow.

And it occurs to me that maybe I was wrong to want Khaosti back. Because the man might beeven more terrifyingthan his wolf.

Chapter 18

Khaos

My eyes blink open.

What the fuck?

Where am I?

Something is different. For a moment, I can’t work out what it is. My whole being has shrunk to the confines of that small cell. The closed space, the darkness, the all-consuming stench.

I breathe in; the air is cold and clean. I’m lying on my back, staring up at the sky, and high above my head, I see stars. Except they’re drenched in blood. Everything is tinged with crimson.

How did I get here? I clench my fists and realize I’m no longer in wolf form. Fury is gone, and I’m back. I search for him, but he must be buried deep inside. I probe and find no trace, though something stirs, uncoils, blinks sleepily, and then is gone.

I’m a fucking mess. My breathing is harsh, and everything hurts; a deep soul-destroying ache consumes my bones and flesh.

All I can remember is the cell, my father, fiery whips and chains.

But I’m out of there now. How? What happened? Or is this just another dream?

“Khaosti, you’re back. About time.”

I hear the words as though from far away, and I shake my head a little. It hurts. Is that Amber? Is she really here? Or is she just another part of my dream? I’ve dreamt of her so much. She’s where I escape to whenever my world becomes too unbearable. I sink deep inside myself and conjure up the scent of pine and snow, of jasmine on a hot summer night. It’s the only way I’ve survived.

Then panic grips me in its savage maw.

She can’t be here. It’s not safe. My father will come back; he always comes back. He hates me, but he can’t stay away. He’ll kill her. He’ll torture her.

A soft hand touches my arm, and I recoil, then scramble away. I blink, and she’s there in front of me. For a second, I’m transfixed. How? How did this happen? I’d resigned myself to the idea that the cell was my future and my end.

No one would come for me. I’m alone.

But she’s here in front of me. I force my brain to think back—brief flashes of the cell, Amber and Sheela, rage, killing the guards, the taste of warm blood, and then a race for freedom, the leap through the mirror.

I shut off my mind and breathe in, letting her scent calm me. She’s talking to me, but I don’t take in the words. My whole body hurts. I remember the sting of the whip, the crack of my bones breaking, and I’m scrambling to get my mind to function through the pain. I just need to stay still. I hug my knees to my chest and stare at the ground. And she keeps on talking. Her words soothe me, even if I don’t take in their meaning. She’s here. I never thought I’d hear her voice again.

“Jesus, the fucking asshole’s awake.”

At the sound of another voice, I freeze. Slowly, I raise my head. A man. He’s getting to his feet. He’s moving toward us. He’s going to kill Amber. I have to protect her. I push myself to my feet, ignoring the pain in my limbs. He’s coming closer.

“Khaosti, no. It’s Zayne. My brother.”