CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

 

 

- Amari

I never lose consciousness. As the bomb explodes, whatever it’s composed of sparks and ignites. I feel squeezed. The pressure is immense as it ricochets off me and the percussion flashes out. I’m thrown into immediate darkness as the low lighting goes out.

The rumble continues on and on as the damage spreads out around me. Dust and debris rains down on me harder and heavier but I stumble and weave through it. All I can think of is Rachel with her soft skin and small body. I pray that I’ve made it far enough away.

I pick up speed again as I get further from where the explosion started. The bomb continues to compromise the stability of the wall and shoring around me. My eyes are finally adjusted to the lack of light, but the dust makes the visibility poor and my lungs burn. But I keep running, jumping, and scrambling over chunks of the tunnel that are slowly closing in on me.

Selas told me that there was a "good chance" I could withstand the explosion. That the mating rage would make my skin impenetrable, but I was skeptical. It didn’t matter though. I knew if the circumstances called for it, I would die for my mate.

She’s everything to me. My life and future. Until she came into my world, I didn’t realize how lonely I was. Now all I think about is getting back to her.

Body aching and lungs burning, I spot the first exit ladder. I’m running so fast and the dust is so bad, I almost miss it. Jumping up on it, I scale it and throw my shoulder into the hatch, springing it up into the air before me.

When I throw myself outside, I’m confused at first. The dim lighting puzzles me. Then I realize that the opening was hidden in an overhang of the cliff the Sanctuary of the Order backs onto. It’s partially built into the stone mountain here. Crawling further out, I can still feel the thunder of the bomb’s aftermath. My heart roars almost as loudly as I ponder how far Devlin would have had to run to clear the damage.

Did they get out in time? When I glance down at myself, I’m shocked to notice I’m covered in fine black char. I definitely look like I’ve been through an explosion. I can’t even see my skin, let alone the mating marks. The gray uniform Selas gave me to wear has been burned off my body along with my shoes.

Pulling myself to my knees, I shake my head and try to orientate myself. It takes a few minutes as I cough and spit, clearing my lungs and throat of the fine dust. I need a drink and to get cleaned up. I don’t want to scare my mate with my appearance.

It takes longer than I expected to reach one of the streams. They come off the mountain and joins with the river that goes under the dome. The sun has set and I’m hungry and more tired than I assumed I would be. The idea of having to spend the night out in the wilds is depressing. I don’t want my Rachel to worry about me all night but I’m naked and exhausted.

I’m still trying to scrub the soot and dirt off me when I spot a shuttle heading straight for me. I consider running. But they will take me back into the dome, closer to my mate. Selas says he has control of the prison so now we will see.

The vehicle has barely stopped before all the doors open, and I brace for an attack.

“Amari! Are you alright?” Selas runs up walking right through the stream to reach me. “We’ve been searching the area for you. I’m so relieved!”

“Yes. I’m alive. How is Rachel?” I don’t even get up. I’m just too tired.

“She’s fine. Worried about you and afraid you are dead, but fine. Everyone is. Cordon, get over here. Let’s check you out.”

A young medic drops next to me and pulls out his equipment. “I’m mostly hungry.”

Selas hands me a protein bar. I haven’t had one since I was an inmate and rip into it thankfully.

“What happened?” Another male throws a blanket around me and I peer up at him gratefully.

“I only made it through the main section gate. The bomb went off fast. It was bright then dark. I kept running. I got out the first exit, I believe.” I try to stand and as I struggle, Selas reaches out a hand and clasps forearms to help me up.

“You didn’t get out the initial exit. We had patrols at the first three exit points. You are really far out here. You must have run a lot further than you thought. We’ve been worried sick, and you look exhausted—and black.” He laughs as he rubs his fingers over my skin, scrubbing at the soot and ash. “Will this come off?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure. I thought maybe I needed soap, but I suspect the explosion charred my skin. Nothing on me was left. No shoes or clothes or anything.” I drop my voice, warily. “I mostly was concerned about making sure my mating marks were there. I was worried about Rachel. She’s really unharmed?”

Selas claps my back and pulls me into his side. “She’s a fighter. We waited outside the building for half the day to make sure you wouldn’t come out. I didn’t tell her about the patrols on this side. We finally talked her into cleaning up.” He hesitates a bit as we walk back through the water, heading for the shuttle. “We gave her a relaxer.”

I stare at him incredulous. This seems to be his answer for everything he doesn't want to deal with!
“She didn’t want to leave and was crying. Her body was in shock and she wasn’t dealing well. It’s a major trauma. Between the kidnapping and then the rescue, we wanted her to relax. She cleaned up, and we put it in her meal, so she would sleep.” Opening the door for me, he adds, “She’s resting now. You have time to get cleaned up and then you can join her.”

My poor mate. She hasn’t had it easy since getting here. I don’t agree with what they have done but I understand why they did.

Everyone gets in and the vehicle turns around to head back into the dome. Selas turns around from where he is sitting in front of me.

“Once you’ve both rested, I’ll get you moved into something more permanent. Then we can talk about your new position here in the prison dome.” I open my mouth to argue and he cuts me off. “I can see you don’t consider that the best idea, but it’s clear you don’t deserve to be here. Let me talk to the Discovery’s captain Bren and make you an offer you can’t refuse, alright? Don’t say no yet.”

He turns around, ending the conversation. I’m too tired to argue. I just need my mate.