Page 44 of Feeding Frenzy (Crimson Coven #3)

FORTY-FOUR

tobias

She could not die. I gritted my molars and forced myself another step toward the window and the sun. I could see her. She lay in the middle of a field. The sun shining on her. I stopped in place, grabbing onto the wall. I breathed in a gust.

Imogen wouldn’t take her from me.

I threw myself out of the window, bracing myself as the ground rushed up. The impact ripped a breath from my lungs. My femur snapped. I gritted my teeth, pushing through the agony.

I staggered to my feet. I could stay up. I could do it. Screams echoed from all around. So loud they seemed to bounce off the trees.

Imogen’s dress lay feet from Catalina, empty. The sun beat down on the back of her arms, blistering with raw wounds.

My leg bucked, but I dragged it behind me.

Catalina’s arms were stretched out, and she was face down. She didn’t move. I was still too far away. I pushed through the agony knifing through my thigh and down my leg. I staggered. My cheek facing the rising sun burned.

The scent of cooked flesh singed my nostrils. I focused on the still body. I was close. So close.

Balancing on one leg, I leaned down to grip the end of Imogen’s dress to drag it over Catalina’s face.

Crouching, I slipped my arms under her and hoisted her up, shoving through the pain. Liquid rose in my throat, and I turned my head to spit blood.

I would get her to safety. I half dragged my leg, using the limp limb to keep myself upright as best as possible. Our home loomed nine meters away. At the very least the awning would be enough to get us under cover of the sun.

Catalina’s arm’s flopped and her head jostled. There best be no harm to her or I’d find a way to revive Imogen just to stake her.

Until now, I’d held on to hope. Maybe the young woman that I grew up with would return. She’d always been selfish, but I would have never anticipated an attack like this. I believed she would attack again, but not in such an underhanded move.

I had given her too much credit.

The sun beat on my skin, and my sluggish movements did not help my injuries. I huddled Cat closer to my chest. I did not know if I would survive this, but I would make sure Catalina had the best chance. The awning of the home blocked the sun from my face.

Blood rose in my throat again and I spat it out. In one moment to the next, my knees gave out. I fell to them, managing to keep hold of my precious bundle. Hugging her to my chest, I hissed through my teeth.

I took moments to gather the last remnants of my strength and lowered her gently. I would not be able to keep going. My body had turned on me. I swept my gaze around. Glass littered the ground, and the door was much too far. I swayed and dropped to all fours. I could not keep my eyes open much longer.

When the sun rose to the highest peak, it would touch us. My movements seemed to be in slow motion. I tucked the dusty dress around Catalina’s exposed skin and settled my body over hers. The sun would take me first. At least she would be okay . . . she would survive. The weight on my body became too much to handle and I dropped into nothingness.