Page 109 of Shifter King

Her throat tightened.

All those sensations from Dry Deep returned. The terrifying pressure, the choking. Except it built inside of her now.

There was nothing.

No air.

Just falling. Choking. And trying to scream.

Then everything shattered.

* * *

The tickingof the clock annoyed Naatos. Its steady statements about the passage of time at least confirmed time wasn't standing still. But he knew that.

He eased his weight to the side, lessening the pressure on one wrist. Doing nothing was not pleasant. Yet what else was there to hope for but that it did not become necessary for him to do something.

He tilted his head back and stared up at the ceiling, counting the cracks and fragments in the rust pattern.

How long had it been?

Ten seconds.

Crespa.

He closed his eyes. Maybe WroOth would find a way to keep her from having to drink it. Maybe it wouldn't be until morning.

He needed to see her again though. To know she was all right.

That itching clawing at the back of his skull had gotten worse. It did creep up like it was trying to burrow in. A constant reminder that she was gone. Gone.

Those last moments replayed in his mind over and over again. That pained look in her face. The way she'd reached for him. Then the dream. When she'd said she loved him.

When he got to hold of her again, well, yes, he'd want to kiss her. And tell her the same. Somehow now that did feel like the most important thing. Everything else was encapsulated in it. Because he loved her, he would find her. Because he loved her, he would avenge her. Because he loved her, he would be there for her.

He stopped. There she was. Only the vaguest of forms was outlined in his mind. Some deeper darkness shrouded her. But it was her. He knew. "Amelia. Amelia!" He strained for her. If she turned, she would see him. She could grab hold.

Just turn. Or look back. One or the other. It didn't matter.

He focused harder, willing her to hear him.

She spasmed, her body twisting backward as if some great force had struck her, her hair flying back. Then she screamed.

His veskaro.

Mind-splintering agony shot through him. He stiffened and fought against the chains. They rattled and screeched like souls about to be devoured.

Her wails and sobs echoed in his mind, intensifying and raging. As if someone had cracked her open and left her spilling out into the aether.

His head thudded. Each pulse brought with it deeper and darker sensations, disorientation. She was gone again. Farther now. Her form had vanished. The edges of his vision swam as his hearing went dull. Everything was at once far away and too slow. He tried to swing his arm out to seize something—anything.

The darkness swallowed him.

He had to find her. No matter what it cost.

FALLING APART

Zorna chuckled from atop her wooden throne. "Well, skinchanging girl, is it time?"