I sat back on my heels. The madman in my head was reacting less severely than usual, enabling me to at least look around without feeling like I was about to pass out.
Not only was I in the middle of a storm, but if the height of the moon was anything to go by, it was also the middle of the night. Obviously, I'd been in the hands of the Raziq for longer than I'd thought.
A heartbeat later, a hurricane hit, blasting my skin with heat. Azriel dropped onto his knees in front of me, his fingers cupping my cheek as his gaze met mine.
There was a whole lot of anger in those blue depths. A whole lot of guilt.
"I'm okay," I whispered, wishing he'd just wrap his arms around me and hold me like he never intended to let go. It might be a lie, but it was one I suddenly needed, if only for a few minutes.
"You are changed." The words came out tight.
"It didn't hurt. Not this time."
"That is not the point."
No, I guess it wasn't. And like the last time, it couldn't be undone. Not by him, and certainly not by me.
"Just take me home, Azriel. Please."
He swept us across the fields even before I'd finished speaking, but when we reappeared, it was in Stane's room, not mine.
"But—"
"No," he said, his voice sharp, almost vicious. "I allowed you to be taken once. I will not risk it a second time."
And I, for one, wasn't about to complain about that, even if I'd rather be home. I stepped back and rubbed my forehead wearily. "The Raziq won't snatch me again."
"I didn't mean the Raziq."