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“What?” Ryker snaps like I asked the stupidest question he’s ever heard.

Rude.

“Can-you-make-them-leave?” I repeat slowly, like he’s the stupid one, turning to look over my shoulder at him.

He looks down at me, and I can see the smart-ass comment he wants to spit at me. I guess that’s good; he’s definitely starting to understand conversation better. The easy way we argue reminds me of our first meeting in the woods before we knew who each other were, and I realize I’d been doomed from that first meeting.

“I can try.” He finally settles on, and I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my lips.

One point for Serena.

“Don’t look so smug, it’s not going to work, so start thinking of a Plan B. One that preferably doesn’t end with you passed out cold again.”

I pull a face but can’t say much. Last time we went against his father, that’s exactly what happened, and I’d been out for days. I’d really rather that not happen again, but if it’s all I can do, then so be it.

Ryker flies us to one of the taller houses, and I feel Lyle’s eyes tracking our every move even if I don’t dare look his way. Right now, I have shit to do, and I won’t be able to think straight if I continue looking into those terrible white eyes, feeling sorry for myself.

Landing is a little rough, and I stumble, but Ryker keeps a hold on me until I’m steady.

“Sorry, I’m not used to extra weight. I’ve only ever flown myself,” he explains, still holding me despite me being steady on my feet now.

I don’t mind, though.

“It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize for saving me.” I take a small step back, and his hand falls away. His lips pull down in a frown that he quickly masks, giving me a jerky nod. I swear he’s adorable.

He moves to turn away, but I catch his hand, lacing my fingers through his before he can get too far. With wide eyes, he looks at me before looking down at our hands that are now locked together and back up again. He looks like he wants to say something, but whatever it is never sees the light of day as a grotesque roar sounds behind us, reminding us that now isn’t the time.

Ryker’s eyes fall closed and his brows knit together, his eyes pinched tight as he concentrates. His hand remains in mine, and I feel his fingers flex as his breathing becomes harsher and I hear his heart rate pick up.

He’s struggling.

My chest feels tight as I watch him. I asked him to do this. Draven is attacking to weed me out.

This is all my fault.

‘Help him.’Garrett’s voice in my head startles me, and I whip around to look for him.

He’s with the others, helping an older lady climb up on Pike’s back. There are only a few people left, and I can’t help but sigh in relief knowing we’ve saved those we could and that this is almost over.

Did I imagine Garrett talking to me?

As if he can hear my thoughts, his head snaps up, our eyes meeting even halfway across the village.

‘Help him. Boost his powers,’he says as if it’s the most obvious answer, and it would be, if it worked like that.

‘That’s not how it works, it only works with you guys…’I’d tried to boost Rosalynn’s powers to test what I can do, but ithadn’t worked. She’d never heard of anything like that before, and when Blair and I showed her, she was just as shocked as we had been.

‘Help him,’he says again, and I’m not sure if I’m just not sending my thoughts right or he’s ignoring me, but I groan in annoyance either way.

Fine! I’ll just try, and then he’ll see.

Letting my eyes fall closed, the last thing I see is the bead of sweat that rolls down the side of Ryker’s face as he continues to struggle.

Please let this work.

Breathing out, I focus on Ryker. Not the destruction around us, not my mates, or my best friend who's still looking at me like he wants to kill me.

It’s easier said than done, but eventually I manage.