The Healer's Hellion - Miranda Bridges Page 0,40

a torrent of rain. Grunts of pain can be heard, and it seems to spur him into motion. I race after him as he heads toward a fallen Dravian nearby.

Without wasting any time, Braxton kneels and tends to the wounded male while I keep watch. My entire body trembles from the adrenaline running through me, and I have to take deep breaths to keep myself calm. Braxton, ever the physician, tends to the soldier in record time and helps him to his feet.

“I heard the females,” the male says. “This way.”

We are quick to follow him to a hut across one of the bridges. The structure is massive and suspended between three gargantuan tree trunks with numerous support beams underneath. My heart rate increases at the idea of finding Camille, and it quickens my steps.

Braxton and the male rush through the door, and the sound of the women screaming in fright is music to my ears. They are alive.

I rush in and step in front of the males, holding my hands out to show the women we mean them no harm. “You’re safe,” I tell the group. “We’re here to rescue you.”

They look malnourished and filthy, but their eyes do not hold the deadened look that mine used to. After my attack, I couldn’t stand to see myself in the mirror because even though I had no physical scarring, I still felt disgusted whenever I saw my reflection. I don’t see that in their gazes, and my body instantly feels lighter as if an unknown weight has disintegrated and fallen from my shoulders.

The women get to their feet, and my heart breaks when I don’t find Camille among them. However, I still find the strength to smile at the women, and it is not fake in any way. It’s not that she doesn’t matter, but I didn’t come here just for her. I know that now. Being a part of this mission and freeing these women, preventing them from a life of endless rape and torture, is why I’m here, why I’m putting my life on the line. This purpose fuels me and fills me with pride simultaneously.

“We must be quick,” Braxton says.

I nod. “Let’s go. Everyone stay together. We’ll protect you.”

Braxton leads the way with me right behind him and the other soldier not too far behind. Braxton may be one of the most powerful Dravians here, but that doesn’t mean he’s invincible. When I said he was mine, I meant it, which equates to me having his back. From the way he periodically glances over his shoulder, I know he’s looking out for me too.

The soldier leads the women to the nearest ladder and immediately descends, beckoning them once he reaches the bottom. Some of them look to me, and I give an encouraging nod to let them know it’s okay. After the first one steps onto the top rung, I know the rest will follow suit. Braxton and I guard them as they climb down, using our powers to prevent any Yalat from getting close. The sight of their bodies shriveling or careening to the ground still brings me satisfaction, but fatigue is hitting me hard. I try to hide it from Braxton, but from the way his gaze swirls with black, I know he sees it.

“It’s your turn, Skylar.”

“Right.”

I take to the ladder, and halfway down I stop to make sure Braxton’s following me, but he’s not. Terror clutches my heart and has me racing back up. I poke my head just above the platform to see what’s keeping him, nearly falling to my death as my palms grow sweaty and loosen my grip.

Camille stands on the opposite side of the bridge with a Yalat’s spear piercing her side.

Chapter 12

In the movies, they always portray a person’s most horrific moments in slow motion. I can say that didn’t happen with my parents. Maybe because they were dead, so there was no hope in my chest, filling me with the belief they could be saved. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t process what was happening, and it all happened so fast that I utilized my instincts and killed the Yalats.

In this case, the slow motion thing totally happens.

As if the scene is being filmed in high definition, I’m able to see the wet sheen from the tears streaking down Camille’s face. And I can hear the droplets of blood hitting the wood beneath her feet as well as my labored breathing. In that moment, everything crystalizes with startling