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It was horrible.

My chest ached. Pain, fear, need—oh Ancestors, it was excruciating.

I buried my face in his fur, hating the tears and still being powerless to stop them.

I’d almost lost him.

When that building collapsed, it didn’t matter how I felt about the mating bond or about Annwyn or my stupid fucking void power. None of it mattered without Arran.

I heaved another sob. I hadn’t cried like this, not ever. I couldn’t remember this pain, wholly new. My chest ached. My heart ached.

The beast stood over me, protecting me, shielding me from view as I heaved and sobbed. I felt the nudge at my ear, then my chin. Urging me to stand again. Letting me drape my arm over his huge haunches, as tall as my shoulder. I dug my hand hard into the thick white fur.

He was vibrating, a low growl that grew by the moment.

I turned, seeking the threat.

Sylva was covered in dust, cradling her arm carefully against her body. But she walked on her own two feet. And she was alone.

“The entrance to the archives was through the guild hall. It will take us weeks to clear the entrance.”

Lyrena stepped up to my side. “We can clear it in hours.”

Sylva’s eyes slid to me, to the beast at my side. “It is best you do not linger.”

Arran rolled his head, baring his teeth. I understood them both.

The guild hall was destroyed while we were in it. It was either the precursor to something worse or a coincidence the angrier townspeople could easily blame us for.

It was reason enough to get moving.

The street around us was in disarray. If we left now, few would notice. We would be well outside of Eldermist by nightfall.

I jerked my head in confirmation. It was all I could manage

Thankfully, that was all it took for the others to step into motion, already moving down an alleyway behind us. But before I could follow, Sylva caught my gaze.

“Avalon lies beyond the Crossing. The Spit, I believe you call it in Annwyn.”

I dipped my head, my fingers digging deeper into the beast’s fur to steady myself as I tried to tame the tremble. “Thank you.”

Sylva bowed her head. “Thank you for bringing me news of my husband.”

33

VEYKA

Through the night we travelled. Long enough, fast enough, that by the time the sun set the next day we were in the foothills of the massive mountains. Arran and Osheen led the way.

Arran remained as his beast.

No one commented.

I took solace in seeing his powerful body loping along, his long fangs gleaming in the sunlight.

I hadn’t been that close to losing him, I realized. Even if he’d been trapped temporarily under the rubble, he could have healed.

But the fear I’d felt… it had completely paralyzed me.