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The dancing and eating lasted well into the night. Wicked had to admit she was having the best of time. Kira and Mira stayed but soon said their goodbyes. Steve and Ronan had to get back to Cincinnati. Kira was afraid to stay too long, not wanting to put any of the Shifters at risk from Orjyll, even though Zelda had promised that wouldn’t be possible because of the protection shield over the town. They had left with Steve, promising to be back for a tattoo in the near future.
Another slow song played as she was once again in Thorne’s arms. She had noticed some very pretty Shifters glancing Thorne’s way, hoping to catch his eye, but so far, his gaze had not strayed from her, and that sent her heart fluttering erratically.
“I think a few females are wanting to dance with you,” Wicked said as they moved slowly to the music.
Thorne looked down at her. “Why would I even think of dancing with anyone else when I have the most beautiful woman in my arms?”
Yeah, okay, that gave him major brownie points. Feeling content, she sank against his body, letting him move her around the floor. Her eyes closed and she prayed to the Goddess this feeling lasted. She was tired of being afraid. Sick of the doubt that always hovered over her like a black cloud. She was so ready to just enjoy life, and that was exactly what she wanted to do with this man.
“You ready to go?” His breath tickled her skin, sending desire through her.
She nodded against his chest. “Yes,” she whispered.
He took her hand and led her through the thinning crowd. She spotted Zelda, who was looking straight at her. A smile appeared on the beautiful woman’s face as she gave Wicked a wink. Wicked grinned back and then waved. Mac and Thorne gave each other a nod, and then they were out the door walking through the darkness of the hardware store.
Once outside, Wicked stopped and smiled up at Thorne. “Thank you for an amazing night.”
“Honey, the night isn’t over yet.” He winked, and that’s the exact minute she admitted to herself that she was totally 100 percent in love with this man.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Wicked flirted, then laughed when Thorne groaned.
“Don’t look at me like that until we’re somewhere I can take full advantage of you.” Thorne’s voice lowered in that sexy slow timbre that made her melt.
Every part of her body responded to him, craved him, and she couldn’t wait to be exactly at the place where he could take advantage. His kiss was slow but didn’t last as long as she would have liked. Which was a good thing since they were standing in front of the hardware store.
He gave her a wicked grin as they both turned hand in hand, only to face Porky, who held a gun. Before either of them could react, the loud pop exploded as pain slammed into her chest.
Everything happened as if in slow motion. She even tried to lift her hand to stop Porky with her magic, but it was obviously too late as she was falling backward. Thorne’s bellow of rage echoed in her ears.
Her fall was cushioned by Thorne as he gently laid her back. Her eyes saw only dark sky with the sprinkling of stars. The pain, an intensity of fire, burned through her body.
“Fuck!” Thorne hissed down at her. “Wicked, look at me. Don’t you dare close those eyes. Wicked!”
A shooting star flashed across the sky before Thorne’s face obstructed the view. She opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was garbled words. She swallowed hard and tried again.
“No, shush, don’t talk.” Thorne looked around, then yelled something, but there was a ringing in her ears, and she couldn’t make out what he said.
Suddenly people’s faces stared down at her. Zelda leaned over her. Her concerned face was intense and focused. Zelda shook her head, her mouth moving, and Wicked tried so hard to hear what she was saying.
Even though it hurt like nothing she had ever felt, she lifted her arm and searched for Thorne. His face reappeared, calming her. She knew he took her hand in his and squeezed. He spoke, but what she paid attention to was the tear that slipped from his beautiful eye.
Wicked tried with everything she had to heal herself, but she was too weak, and this definitely wasn’t a paper cut. Oh God, she was dying. She couldn’t die. Not now. Not yet. She wasn’t ready. Finally, the ringing in her ears eased.
“Dammit, Wicked.” Thorne hissed. The big bad Shifter looked scared to death... because of her. “Hold on. Stay with me.”
“Wicked!” She heard Bruce calling out to her in panic.
“We have to get her to my place,” she barely heard Zelda saying. She sounded so far away, yet she was right there. “She’s not a Shifter, but I’ll do my best to—”
“We got him,” someone shouted in the distance.
“He’s mine!” Thorne bellowed, but his eyes never left hers. “Hang on, Wicked. I’ve got you.”
“She’s losing too much blood,” Zelda said, her voice calm. “We need to get her out of here.”
“I have to pick you up, Wicked,” Thorne said as he positioned himself. “Hold on, baby.”
The pain from being moved almost made her pass out, but she fought it. A loud moan escaped her lips as fire pierced her chest, shooting agonizing pain throughout her whole body.
“I’m sorry,” Thorne whispered, and she could tell he was walking quickly. “I’m so sorry.”
Wicked closed her eyes against the pain, but the darkness scared her, so she opened them quickly. She felt herself being carefully put into the back of a car, and Wicked did everything in her power not to cry out. The last thing she wanted was to upset Thorne. He was trying not to hurt her.
All she could do was stare up at him, feeling herself getting weaker and weaker. Zelda was hovering over her also from the front seat, and she felt magic around her.
“Dammit, hurry up, Mac!” Zelda’s voice no longer sounded calm. “I can’t do this in the car. I need to be home.”
“Don’t you dare close those beautiful eyes,” Thorne ordered, his voice softer than she’d ever heard him.
“Thorne, I’m going to have to put her out,” Zelda said, as the car came to a quick stop.
“No!” Thorne shook his head. “She has to stay awake. She can’t close her eyes.”
Wicked’s gaze left his to slowly move to Zelda, who was looking at her with a worried frown. She really didn’t want to close her eyes either, too terrified, but somehow she knew Zelda was right.
“I’ll be okay,” Wicked croaked and felt a tear slip from the corner of her eye.
“No!” He shook his head, his eyes narrowing in fear and anger.
“Do it,” Wicked coughed out, as she reached up with everything she had to touch Thorne’s cheek. “I love you.” There, she said it. If she went to the Goddess, she knew she had said her piece.
Wicked felt her eyes getting heavy. Panicking, she started to fight it, but couldn’t. Darkness shadowed her vision as the last thing she heard was Thorne’s cry of fear as he called her name over and over again until everything was silent.