If she’d had control of her body, she would have reached out to touch him. But instead, she stood silently, crying unheard for him to leave as he dropped to his knees before her, his powerful arms folding around her with gentle strength, to cover her almost completely.
Through his touch, she somehow sensed his shame, a shame scarcely concealed over the torrent of his thoughts assailing her mind. He was in pain, dying. He held onto her knowing it was killing him. He clung to her desperately, willing to sacrifice everything in the hope of saving her. Her core grew hotter, her essence reaching out to embrace his even as she screamed for it to stop. She heard its claim, its song within her mind as it embraced him with her power. ‘Mine.’
She wanted to warn him away, to have him retreat while he still could. She already knew nothing could survive her touch. Her other-self spoke to her, its voice so loud, offering apologies because it could no longer rein in its power. The dam restraining it had broken, and all that could happen now was for its power to flood out until nothing more was left. It screamed and cried with her as the man she loved held her and the jagged edges of their essences melded together into one smooth connection. She could feel his pain, and yet he clung to her desperately, whispering softly, confessing his love, offering words of comfort as if he could quell the rising tide. But she had already burnt too hot, too fast.
United as one, both parts of her knew there was no recovering from what had happened and so she closed her eyes, relishing the sensations of being held within his firm embrace. To let go now would be to offer him salvation. Fatigue washed over her. She had tried to fight the draining energy, to hold on, but now her release would save him. Please save him—she thought.
At that moment, she felt so safe, so serene, as if everything in the world was how it should be. As if recognising her surrender, her knees weakened, her weight supported by his strong arms as her energy waned and her breathing slowed. A sudden alarm coursed through her as she realised what was happening. She wanted this, but now she realised she wasn’t ready to leave him; not yet, not without telling him loved him. She struggled for a breath, trying to push her final words through her failing body, but the only sound that escaped her was a whimper as the darkness embraced her and her fire died.
Chapter 17
Alex stood outside, the P.T.F. blanket that was draped over his shoulders sending small waves of cold energy from the enchantments woven within. His skin felt raw and tight, his face red from the burns, but as his essence cooled, their effect would lessen. His small squadron gathered close as the building continued to burn. The occasional thought through Bindu’s connection reached out to him, offering support as he stood transfixed by the scene before him.
Loud rumblings could be heard from within as supporting walls continued to collapse in exasperated sighs as they finally relinquished their burdens, sending dust and embers into the sky. The fire was insatiable, burning hotter and more vibrantly than anything he had seen before. The balcony they had used to enter had become nothing more than flaming rubble as the entire right side of the house crumbled down to its foundations. The roof to the left, where his sister would have stood, had been blown clear from the property, landing in a smouldering heap at the forest’s edge. The walls still stood, but reports from his team confirmed the ceiling of the banquet hall was almost completely destroyed.
He watched with a hollow emptiness building inside him, his thoughts turning to Conrad as he saw Tess approach with her arm slung under Jack’s shoulder as she half-dragged his hobbling body towards them. The medics rushed to meet them lifting Jack from her support to guide him towards one of the waiting ambulances. Alex could hear his weak protest, and sent Bindu a quick instruction. His sister’s friends would be treated at his base, including the healer. If he ever woke, he would answer for his crimes. Healers were rare; he would be indentured to the base until such a time as his debt had been paid. Bindu sent back a quick acknowledgement, dispatching one of the other team members to retrieve William and Jack.
Alex realised his face must have shed the indifferent expression he tried to maintain when present in an official capacity, because he saw the tears start to form in Tess’s eyes before she even spoke, as her grasp tightened on the sketchbook in her hands.
“You didn’t find her?” Tess asked, the light from the fires causing her damp cheeks to sparkle.
He reached out, cupping her face in his hands as the blanket slid from his shoulders. “It’s not that we couldn’t find her. We know exactly where she is, it’s just impossible for anyone to get close.”
“And Conrad?” Tess questioned. Alex shook his head. “You mean to tell me that he went in there, he went after her, but none of you can?”
He looked at her regretfully.
