I want to say no, that I can control myself, but just then, Aurora lets out a bloodcurdling scream that reverberates through my bones. I’m moving forward before I know it, only to collide with Ronan’s brick wall. His steely arms wrap around me in a vise, turning me around to contain me in a choke hold. My right arm is twisted behind my back, and Ronan’s forearm presses against my neck.
“Let me go!” I attempt to wrestle my way free, which is futile. Ronan is a beast.
In the background, Aurora continues to scream, driving me more insane. I thrash, trying to push Ronan against a wall, but my friend’s grip on me doesn’t waver. I end up pinned on the floor by him.
“Sorry, buddy.”
“She’s hurting,” I grit out.
“Not anymore.”
I stop struggling and listen beyond the pulse beating in my ears. He’s right, Aurora is quiet now.
“It’s done,” Ryker announces. “You can release him.”
Ronan jumps off my back, then offers me his hand. I’m still riding high on the adrenaline when I glance at Aurora. She looks paler than before, but in one piece.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I think so.” She turns to Ryker. “Is the repel spell gone?”
“Yes. I stayed longer inside your head than necessary to investigate the possible mind-to-mind link you mentioned. It hurt more because of that. I’m sorry.”
She rubs her forehead. “Did you find anything?”
“I couldn’t find any traces of her inside your head. She’s not spying on you through the bond. But she has the Taluah Mirror, which is troublesome. Here, wear this amulet at all times. It should keep her from spying on you via the mirror.” He offers Aurora a silver chain necklace with a small pendant, which she puts on right away.
I open my mouth to comment, but the little wind of energy I got when trying to protect Aurora vanishes in the blink of an eye. I lose the feeling of my body first, and then there’s nothing.
34
Aurora
My head hurts like I’ve been hit by a sledgehammer. As uncomfortable as the throbbing is, it doesn’t compare to the excruciating pain I endured during Ryker’s mind invasion. It felt like he reached inside my brain with clawed hands and scratched it raw.
I’m trying to keep my discomfort from showing on my face for Saxon’s benefit, when he passes out on me again, falling face forward, lifeless.
“Saxon!” I yell at the same time that Ronan catches him in his arms.
The towering vampire lets out a curse under his breath as he lays Saxon on the couch. My heart gets stuck in my throat when I see his deathlike appearance. The golden hue from his skin has turned into a washed-out gray color, a look that’s common with vampires in a comatose state.
“Tell me he didn’t go into hibernation.”
“Not yet. His breathing hasn’t slowed down that much, but considering the injury he suffered, I’d say he’s very close. He needs blood ASAP.”
“If he started the process, good luck getting him to wake in order to drink,” Ryker pipes up.
“You’re not helping!” I snap.
“On the contrary, I am. I can strike him with the right amount of voltage. It will revive him long enough for you to entice him with your blood.”
“You mean electrocute him?” Ronan asks.
“Think of it as something akin to using a defibrillator to resuscitate a flatlining patient.”
“Fine. Do it,” I say. “Anything to keep Saxon from going where I can’t follow.”
“Okay. Step away.”
Ryker raises his hand and begins to speak in a strange language so softly, it’s almost a whisper. Strands of electricity form on his palm, crackling as they converge into a green sphere of energy. When he hurls it in Saxon’s direction, it looks like lightning is shooting from his hand. I don’t know what warlocks must give up in order to yield that kind of power. My guess is their souls. I can’t deny that Ryker’s abilities are fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
Saxon’s chest lifts upon impact, and then he jerks into a sitting position with a loud gasp. His eyes are round and red-rimmed, but also unseeing. His mind is not back to us yet.
“Go on. Do what you have to do before he collapses again.”
I run to him, sitting at the edge of the couch. I don’t have anything sharp on me, so I just pull my hair to the side and offer him my neck, hoping that it will be enough to kick in