Page 65 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha (Witch Twins #2)

Electra

Slowly, I became aware of a sound in the darkness. A rumble. Deep and comforting, it vibrated through my bones.

I floated in the darkness, the noise surrounding me.

A truck? A train. No, that made no sense. Not here.

My mind was sluggish, slow to respond. The numbness had spread to my chest. My whole body felt frozen. My heart encased in ice.

It was a purr.

Alongside the purr, words formed in my mind. Unlike the earlier Voice, these words weren’t malicious. They were tender. Loving.

Bastien’s words.

I didn’t want to hear them. I was already at the end of my tether. The decision that I had to let him go had taken everything out of me.

But I was too weak to struggle and the words kept coming.

Each word was golden, like the rays of sun in summer. Warming me. Melting away the ice of my barriers.

Panic made my heart flutter. No. I needed those barriers. The ice around my heart was the only thing that was going to get me through this.

Alongside the purr, I could now hear another noise. Deep and regular. Like the surf at the ocean. A steady beat.

Oh. A heartbeat.

Hear how my heart beats only for you, my love. I purr for you, my mate. Always.

I need you to come back now. I won’t stop until you are here, with me.

My frozen heart was no match for the love he was sending me. Surrounding me. Promising me. That word. Always.

Could it be true? In spite of everything?

Let me in sweetheart.

Did I dare?

The Voice returned, but this time it was weak. He doesn’t love you . He doesn’t want you .

Golden light shimmered in the air around me, the tangible sign of Bastien’s love, beating back the darkness. Fighting for me. Fighting my fears.

Tentatively, I reached back along our bond.

Truly?

Baby. His tone was tender. Come back to me and let me show you how much I mean it. For the rest of our lives.

The light was almost blinding now, sending the darkness into the corners where it belonged.

But you’re going to tell me everything. No more shields. No more secrets. I meant it before and I mean it now.

I cringed.

He felt it. Tell me , he demanded.

This was it. I had to decide. I could be afraid and flee to the shadows, running away from my chance at happiness.

Or I could fight. I could fight my demons, with my mate by my side, supporting me every step of the way.

To do that I had to show him. I had to show him everything. Every fear. Every doubt. The light can only cleanse the dark when the windows are open to let in the sun.

I made my choice.

I opened my eyes.