Page 86 of Jagged Souls

Still, I take a step in her direction, desperate to feel closer to her. I push as much love and hope down our bond as I can.I’m coming for you, little monster. I’m going to bring you home.

But as soon as my next foot follows, I’m being pulled back to Earth. I shake my head as I face everyone, once more in our backyard. Maddox swirls his shadows around me next. If he gets me the closest to her though, he won’t be able to come with me to bring her out. He’ll need to stay here to work the portal.

As I sink down, I am both relieved and fucking gutted at how strong the bond feels. Hope and depression war inside me as I’m pulled back out. That’s two out of five down, but I still have three more to go.

Three more possibilities.

Three more chances.

Three more prayers.

My heart beats like crazy every time a brother sucks me into their shadows, hoping that this is the one that gives me the chance to save my wife. And it beats even harder on the way up, that hope brutally dying.

Shit.

Three down…

Come on...

Four…

Fuck.

Enoch is my last chance.

Micha’s last chance.

What if Leno’s shadows would’ve been the closest?

My throat tight, I nod at Enoch. He breathes out as he sucks me down into the dark.

My heartbeat picks up.

Faster.

Faster.

Please gods, let her be –

I fucking scream.

Twenty-Three

HER

A light appears about a football field away from me. The entire time I have been in here, it has been pitch-black in all directions. I’ve been huddling in the middle of the cage, my legs up, my arms wrapped around my knees so none of the monsters can get me.

Now I lurch to my feet, my heart racing.

“Varius!” I shout, stumbling forward even though I can’t see anything but that blare of light, getting dimmer by the second.

“Varius! Varius, I’m here!” I wave an arm, then scream as a tentacle wraps around my wrist, its poisonous suckers stinging fire through my flesh. It drags me towards the edge of the cage, a low growl sounding from somewhere in the dark.

Throwing myself backwards, I scramble to dig my heels into the metal floor. I reach for my magic, knowing it’s the only chance I have of stopping it from eating me once I get to the edge of the cage. If I can just burn –

I cry out as I slam into a solid wall before I even make it to the bars. Pain flares through my broken arm, and I slide down the barrier with a gasp. The monster releases me with a yelp of pain, shocked by magic, and then I tumble forward as the wall disappears.

Maddox, you little shit…