Page 20 of Revenant (Spirit Realm #2)

JAMESON

C olor slowly bleeds from Rue’s already too pale face as she works tirelessly to save us. I clutch her hand in mine, my concern increasing when she gradually turns into an icicle. I wiggle closer until she’s pressed against me, willing my warmth into her, hating the feeling of helplessness.

Whatever she is doing to us is working. My head no longer feels like it’s too heavy and ready to fall off. I shiver at the sensation of her crawling around inside me. It’s like she’s sharing an intimate part of herself, and the aching loneliness I lived with my whole life warms at her presence. The shattered pieces of my soul settle, and I feel like I’m finally home.

I release a begrudging sigh and dismiss the grudge I’ve been holding against her for leaving me.

As long as she never does it again.

I watch in awe as she heals the guys, hypnotized by the small glow that shimmers under their skin. It’s weird, but I swear I can almost see their bodies mend. Unfortunately, the longer it takes, the more it zaps her strength. I tighten my grip on her hand like I can share my energy with her by will alone.

The need to protect Rue is like a compulsion. As much as I want to throw her over my shoulder and run away with her, she is the only thing keeping the guys alive.

We need her as much as she needs us.

Whatever the fucking doctor wanted to achieve, he failed. Without Rue keeping us stable, I suspect not all of us would have survived. Unfortunately, I worry about what will happen if the asshole were to discover what Rue can do. He would never let her go.

That’s okay. I plan to kill the fucker for touching her before that can happen.

No one touches what is mine and lives to tell the tale.

And pookie is fucking mine.

I watch her obsessively—it’s the best way to watch her—and I would do it all day if I thought I could get away with it. Too bad people frown on that stalkerish behavior. They just haven’t met the love of their life and don’t understand. My pookie deserves to be worshiped. But only by me and the guys. I’ll skin alive anyone else who tries it.

Rue wilts under the strain of keeping us alive, and I frown at the mental and physical toll it has taken on her. I don’t like feeling helpless, especially when she needs me. All I can do is let her know that I’m here for her, that I will never leave her.

We’re all huddled together like we can’t stand being apart from Rue, even for a second, and I completely understand that sentiment, especially when we just got her back. Jaceson appears fine as he watches over the others. Ellis is sweating profusely, trembling to stay upright. He is slumped against my twin, looking seconds away from puking.

Gunner’s body is rigid under the strain to remain still as agony tears through him, sitting without complaint as he allows Rue to work her magic. He gazes at her like she is his sole reason for existing, something I completely understand.

Hicks remains as still as a statue, but I don’t miss the fine tremors that shake his frame. He’s watching Rue almost as obsessively as the rest of us, ready to yank her away if she pushes herself too far, consequences be damned.

Ellis groans, then his eyes flutter shut, and he’s the first one to drop. Jace tightens his grip on our resident nerd, as if he can hold him to us. Blood drips from Ellis’ nose in a steady stream. It lasts for almost a full minute before it just stops. When it does, Jace checks for a pulse, maintaining contact with the circle the whole time. His expression is grim, his voice gruff, when he lifts his face and glances at the rest of us. “He’s alive.”

Gunner drops not twenty minutes later, his body hitting the ground with a thud that shakes the floor. Hicks drags him closer, ensuring the circle remains intact, and I throw my leg out until I’m touching the big fucker. He’s been our enforcer for years, training religiously to keep us safe. When pookie was taken, each of us doubled our training regiment, honing our bodies into killing machines.

The big man was massive before this started. Whatever drug they infected us with packed nearly fifty pounds on him and added another five inches in height. Only pure stubbornness kept the fucker conscious for so long, the pain of building that much muscle must have been torture.

Another ten minutes pass, and Hicks is barely clinging to consciousness. An honest-to-goodness snarl rumbles in his chest, a vicious sound that vibrates the air. Jace and I watch him like a hawk, each of us tense, worried he might attack Rue to make the pain stop.

If he moves toward my pookie, I will take that fucker out.

His normal green eyes now blaze a neon yellow, only the outer ring of dark green lingering around the edges. He also has a double set of impressive upper and lower fangs. A pool of blood gathers beside him, and I spot black claws at the ends of his fingers, the razor-sharp edges gouging into his skin as he does his best to hold himself back. The wounds heal almost as fast as they appear. He has always been a scary asshole, now he’s one terrifying motherfucker.

I can’t help but pout… Those dickheads have superpowers!

I peer down at my own hands, willing a set of claws to appear…and sulk when nothing happens.

Lucky fuckers.

Then I perk up.

I’m next.

I squirm in my seat as I wait for my turn, wondering what powers I will receive. I bet it’s something cool. Of course it is… My pookie likes me best.

She’s saving the best for last.

But when she slumps against me, my excitement vanishes into dread. Not giving a fuck about the circle any longer, I immediately snatch her into my lap and cuddle her close. Her head lands on my shoulder, the slight puff of her breath on my neck the only thing that keeps me from losing my shit.

I gently brush the hair from her face, the chill of her skin burning my fingers, and my heart thumps in panic. Wanting to warm her up, I wrap her so tightly in my arms that every inch of her body is pressed against mine.

I will her to be okay, and my breath hitches in my chest when I swear she reacts to my silent command. The same glow from before shimmers under her skin wherever I touch it. I cock my head in curiosity. Testing a theory, I lean back and press my hand against her chest, right over her heart, and will her to heal.

My eyes widen when those tiny lights rise from her bones and multiply. They seem to be attracted to my touch, swarming under my hands from every direction. Maybe I should be worried I might harm her, but I’m not. I’m physically incapable of hurting her, and I refuse to contemplate anything else is even possible.

I lean over and press my lips against her forehead, the disappointment that I didn’t receive any powers from earlier disappearing. If I can heal Rue, then I have the best ability of all.

I lift my head and whisper to her in a soft voice, so as not to disturb her sleep. “Rest. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”

I vow it with my life.