The Healer's Hellion - Miranda Bridges Page 0,39
also make me vulnerable. I want to see this mission reach its conclusion, so I have to be smart and conserve my energy.
My rage at seeing the Yalat makes this difficult.
Images of my parents spring to the forefront of my mind, stiffening my limbs and stealing my breath. For a moment, I’m paralyzed as grief and agony mix with my fury. It’s a heady, toxic combination, and my power zips through me like an electrical current, more than ready to be released.
Braxton takes my shoulders and shakes me lightly. “Skylar, you need to get ahold of yourself.”
“I can’t see them without also seeing my parents.” My voice, much to my surprise, sounds weak and pitiful. I don’t recognize it, like it’s coming from someone else, someone who’s scared and lost.
The second Braxton’s lips touch mine, the horrific images fade, replaced with my feelings for him and the enigmatic tingling of my mouth. The kiss is barely that, but it has pulled me from that dark, horrific place in my mind. Sounds of battle rage all around us, but Braxton only has eyes for me. However, I catch his ears twitching and his gaze darting as he maintains his vigilance.
“If you cannot proceed, I will stay with you,” he says.
“No. I need to do this. If I don’t, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
He takes my hand in his, running his thumb over my knuckles before releasing me. “Let me help you exact your revenge.”
“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
Braxton grins at me, but it drops quickly as the noise around us crescendos. “We must help the others.”
We race to the nearest tree that houses a dwelling, and he doesn’t hesitate to climb up the wooden ladder that’s dangling just within reach.
“Cover me, Skylar.”
But I’ve already got my hands raised, just waiting for anything to emerge. As soon Braxton makes it to the top, he motions for me to follow. I race up the ladder, never looking down. The drop would be great and result in an injury, or even death. Even though I’m not afraid of heights, I grow slightly dizzy once I reach the wooden platform.
After motioning for me to keep guard, Braxton ducks inside the hut only to reappear a couple seconds later. “This one is empty, but that’s no surprise, since we have joined the battle late.”
I push down the guilt that threatens to rise. We don’t have time for that. Camille doesn’t have time for that.
Braxton leads us across the wooden bridge, and I scan the surrounding area to avoid looking down. All around us, Dravians are engaged in combat with the reptiles. I raise my right hand, trailing a Yalat with my gaze as it creeps along one of the numerous bridges in order to sneak up on one of our soldiers. My power soars from my palm, knocking the creature over the moss-covered railing and sending it plummeting downward. Even though the sound of its body hitting the ground is muffled by the fight, my satisfaction swells at having killed it.
From my position, I continue to send a number of Yalat to their deaths by flinging them into the air, either while they attack a Dravian or right before. Over and over I send my power out and across the open space, taking out one after another. By my side, Braxton does the same, and I have to remind myself to stay focused. His gift is so much stronger than mine, and he knocks down a group of Yalat as if they are bowling pins. I love watching him wield his power, and from the expression on his face, I’d say he enjoys it as well after repressing it all this time.
Without a word, he takes my hand and pulls me into a light jog, weaving us through the city and bringing us closer to its nexus. The battle is fiercer here, and I silently pray that we are able to defeat the Yalat on their turf. Much to my disappointment, they aren’t stupid.
“Get behind me!” Braxton shouts.
Immediately I spring into action, placing myself behind his large frame. A whistling noise pierces the air before a series of thuds sound all around me. It reminds me of hail striking the ground, except as I glance about, I realize they are arrows imbedding into the trees and huts all around us. Braxton has his hands raised, and a large portion of the arrows freeze midair before falling uselessly like