Page 23 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)

Riley

THE SHIP LOST ITS EMERGENCY lighting moments before impact. I fought hard to hold on to Krin. Unfortunately, the impact of the crash pulled us apart.

A bolt of pain ripped through my head when I slammed into something hard, making me scream before I passed out.

WHEN I WOKE AND OPENED my eyes I had no idea how long I had been out for. My head was killing me, and when I tried to move, I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach.

I slowly sat up as the room spun, and then I felt something warm and wet on my face. I wiped at it, pulling my hand away to see a lot of blood. My ribs hurt when I tried to get up, making me wince.

Shit. This is bad.

My stomach was like a washing machine whenever I moved a muscle. My ribs hurt like hell, but the pain in my head was unbearable.

I tried to shout for Krin, but I got a mouthful of dust and coughed which sent more searing pain through my ribcage. Twisting to put my hand on the wall for support. I pushed myself up, when another wave of nausea rolled through me.

My skull was splitting, and I couldn’t focus.

I tried to take a step but tripped over something. Then lost my footing and fell, landing on my hands and knees.

When I put my hand out and touched whatever I had bumped into, my fingers touched the bare arm of a crewman causing me to shudder.

He didn’t move or make a sound.

My attention moved to what was around me. The sound of pain-filled groans amidst the battered ship ruins made my heart fill with fear.

I had no idea how long it would be until I blacked out again. There was still blood pouring from my head even as I tried to staunch it with one of my hands.

All around me was a chaotic mess of twisted metal and machine components. As I attempted to stand, I was hit by another wave of dizziness.

Panic attempted to overwhelm me, but I resisted.

I needed to find Krin.

“Krin!” I let out a cry, followed by a cough. My head throbbed in agonizing pain.

Smoke and debris made it difficult to see anything clearly beyond a few inches in front of me.

“Krin, where are you?” I could hardly hear my own voice.

I tried to find another route out of where I was, only to be blocked by ship debris at every turn.

My heart was on the verge of snapping in two at Krin’s absence. Terror filled me at what this could mean.

As blood poured down my face, my sight grew increasingly blurry. I was in big trouble, and I knew it.

Cursing internally, I found I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. Every part of me was in agony.

I can’t pass out . I have to find Krin.

My heart squeezed as a lump filled my throat. He can’t be gone. He just can’t.

Overwhelmed by pain and exhaustion, I collapsed, my legs unable to hold me. I was enveloped in darkness within seconds.