Page 40 of Branded Souls (Ember Hollow Romance #3)

Skye

I laid on the cold, hard floor, my body shivering. I refused to touch that pitiful mattress. The horrifying mattress. The mattress my little brother had been forced to sleep on in this dark, isolated hole for God knew how long.

Panic had long ago sunk its claws into my heart. Its icy tendrils invaded my veins and my brain, but I refused to succumb to it.

Instead, I focused on Fox. On the way he’d held me during my last panic attack. The feel of his hands and lips on my body last night. I remembered how the scent of him surrounded me as we lost ourselves in each other.

The sheer memory of him made me feel like I was stronger. Kept my head above the sea of anxiety wanting to drag me under.

I was a complete fool. It was clear to me now that I had nowhere to run. I could no longer ignore the painful, broken parts of me.

I had left all those years ago to avoid this. It wasn’t about protecting Fox from a life that I knew wouldn’t make him happy. It was always about avoiding this pain .

I had been abandoned by my mother, abused by my father. I had lost a baby I hadn’t even realized I’d truly wanted—and almost died in the process.

It was all before me now. No running. I was forced to face it without looking away.

Tears welled again, cascading down onto the dusty concrete floor.

All I wanted was Fox. I wanted his arms around me, his heart beating against mine. If anyone knew my pain—could see it and feel it—it was him.

I rested my palm over my hammering heart. Not because I was convinced it would explode and kill me, but because I wanted to remind myself that Fox had always been a part of me. Even though this heart felt so broken, so damaged, it had never once forgotten him.

The prospect of never seeing him again was agonizing.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the dark, to the universe, hoping that some way, some how, he would hear me. “I love you.”

The silence was deafening. Suffocating.

Until something shattered it.

At first, I thought I’d imagined it. Then, the unmistakable sound of the lock clicked, echoing around me.

I bolted upright, staring at the door my brother had locked me behind. I hardened my expression, curling my hands into fists.

I didn’t want to fight my brother, but if it was my only chance at getting out of here, at seeing Fox one more time…I would do it.

The heavy door slowly opened.

“Skye?”

I blinked, choking on my tears. The voice that said my name wasn’t my brother’s .

It was Fox.

A sob burst from my chest before I could stop it. I scrambled to my feet and launched toward the doorway. My arms wrapped around him before I even fully registered his face—just the sound of his voice, the impossible relief of it.

His arms came around me, pulling me tight. His hold was warm and solid.

He said my name again. Like it was a lifeline. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked, distraught, not letting me go.

“I’m okay,” I breathed against his chest.

He pulled back enough to look down at me, brushing hair from my face. His eyes were searching, frantic and gentle all at once. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, then to my lips.

His mouth was soft against mine. I leaned into the kiss, until something wrong finally registered. A bitter, salty taste that was slightly metallic.

Blood.

I jerked back, fully taking him in now.

He was covered in blood.

Large stains bloomed on his shirt. Streaks of red were smeared along his arms, his jaw, his neck. His face was so pale. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“What happened to you?” Horror spiked through me. “Fox, you’re bleeding.”

He swayed slightly, and I realized he was leaning on me, as if he couldn’t stand straight without help.

“I’m okay,” he said, but his voice was thin and thready. “We have to get out of here. Call 911.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. He handed it to me. “Here.”

I took the phone and he grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door, toward freedom.

We barely made it a few steps before he faltered.

“Fox?”

His grip loosened.

“Fox—”

His legs gave out, and he collapsed.

I lunged forward, catching him the best I could, lowering us both to the floor. My heart stuttered, panic tearing through me like a scream.

“Fox!” I gasped, cradling his head, trying to assess where he was hurt. There was so much blood on him. I didn’t know where it was all coming from.

He didn’t answer.

His eyes fluttered, then rolled back.

“No. No, no, no, no, no.” My voice broke as I shook him. “Fox, stay with me. Do you hear me? You don’t get to leave me. Not now.”

He didn’t move.

“Wake up!” I yelled. “I’m not letting you die!”

I fumbled for the phone, nearly dropping it as I swiped to unlock it with shaking hands.

I dialed. Pressing my free hand to his chest, I tried to feel the rhythm of his heart, willing it to stay strong.

“I won’t lose you, Fox,” I whispered, my voice filled with fear. “I won’t.”