Page 89 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha (Witch Twins #2)

Bastien

I counted down the seconds. Twenty-nine. Thirty.

Nothing felt different. If the magic had taken hold, it was undetectable to my Shifter senses. But I could easily test it out.

Drawing back my leg, I kicked one of the wooden legs that supported my bed.

My foot connected. The bed jolted. Even with my sensitive hearing, there was nothing. Not a whisper of sound.

Yes! It was time for me to leave.

I spun and punched the wall.

The bricks shivered at the full force of my punch, but silence blanketed my cell.

Two more punches got me through the wall. Stepping through the hole, I quickly scanned the darkened cell next to mine. My Beast abilities expanded my sight beyond human vision, allowing me to see as see as clearly as if it was daylight. The space was unoccupied.

The silence was so dense I couldn’t even hear my own breathing. Moving at full speed, I crossed the space in a heartbeat. The cell door was shut. Grabbing the handle, I tested the lock.

Open.

I spilled out into the corridor. Silent. Deadly. Well lit, it stretched in both directions. Unhesitating, I turned right, towards the kitchen smells. My feet sped me down empty corridors. Following the scent was easy and it became steadily stronger as my legs ate up the distance.

But before I reached my destination, the sound of my feet pounding on the floor was suddenly loud in the corridor. The spell had failed.

Oh gods. Electra’s voice was shocked. Panicked. It didn’t even feel as though she was trying to talk to me, but her distress was so strong that she broadcast the words.

Electra, what’s wrong?

She didn’t answer.

Then she was gone.

I staggered, bouncing off a wall. Pain radiated up my shoulder, but I paid it no attention. It was nothing compared to the pain shredding my heart.

Electra! My shout echoed down the bond. My heart was racing, galloping in my chest and I couldn’t get enough air.

But still there was no reply. I collapsed against the wall.

Fuck. Something had gone wrong. Something she hadn’t been able to predict with her pre-cog.

She’s alive. The bond is intact. My inner Beast pushed the words at me, spearing through the panic.

Her consciousness had disappeared abruptly from our bond. Like the sun being covered by an eclipse. But the bond itself was as strong as ever. She was still alive.

I forced myself to think. This had happened to my brother when Caly had been kidnapped. He’d been unable to find her, unable to sense her for hours. She’d been snatched from inside the Palace, drugged and hidden from his magic.

I will find you . The words felt like a prayer. On jelly legs I began to run again. She was alive and I would find her. Wherever she was.

And whoever hurt her would die.