I HEAR THE MOMENT HE crushes her windpipe. I see her collapse, and yet I cannot believe it. The pressure from Kian’s knees crushes her chest, and I feel the agonising pain of it through every part of my body.
Blood gurgles from the corners of Raya’s lips as she clutches at her throat, unable to swallow or breathe. Unable to do anything other than cough up blood. Drowning in it. Her heart pumps furiously. Too hard. Too fast. There’s no time.
Cora is frozen in shock, trembling from head to toe as she watches everything take place before her.
The roar that escapes me rattles the house to its very foundations. Panic surges violently through me as though I’ve been electrocuted and I struggle to think straight.
Stumbling over to Raya, I fall to my knees.
Kian launches at me, knocking me to the ground. He grins maniacally as he leans over me, and a feral growl rips from my throat as I kick him with both feet, knocking him on his ass while simultaneously hurling myself back on my feet.
Slamming Kian onto the floor, white-hot fury flows through me to the point I lose all control. I hit him over and over, until streaks of his blood cover every surface and his face is unrecognisable. Yanking him to his feet by his throat, I hurl him towards the wall, which he strikes with a deafening crash. It cracks and crumbles on impact as he disappears through it.
Dante clambers to his feet and chases after Kian so quickly he is a mere blur as he races off into the night. I don’t care what anyone else is doing right now. Raya is dying, and she needs me.
Cradling her to me, I pull her arm toward me and bite it, holding her so tightly I fear I might break a bone.
Nothing happens.
I’m too late.
‘Raya!’ I shout at her, feeling so desperate, I can barely think straight.
Her eyes are closed now and her breathing has slowed so much I can hardly hear it. As Cas gets to his feet, I whip my head up as he quietly moves toward the gaping hole in the wall while rubbing his neck.
‘Cas,’ I plead, my voice unrecognisable as I blink up at him, my vision blurry from the tears. ‘Help me. Help Raya.’ He glances at the wall, and then back to me. I see his hesitation, and right then, I decide to forgive him for everything if he helps us right now. I’m not sure if I imagine the shift in his foot in my direction, but with a shake of his head, Cas turns and leaves without a word, or so much as an apology.
I stare helplessly down at Raya. Dread seeps through every fibre of my being.
My bonded.
My love.
My soulmate.
She’s dying.
‘She can’t turn unless there is a sacrifice,’ Cora says quietly.
I hardly hear her as everything is dimming in and out of focus. My vision is hazy as I desperately bite Raya once more, begging her to return to me. I’m only vaguely aware of her walking towards Alex. I don’t need to look up to know how weak he is. I can hear it in his heartbeat. He’s barely conscious. It’s only when Cora effortlessly pulls him to his feet that I force myself to look at them. Alex’s head hangs loosely against his shoulder.
‘No!’ I shout at her in panic. Alex’s eyes flicker open, darting about as he tries to orientate himself. His eyes widen as they meet mine, realisation dawning over his face. Shaking my head profusely, I look at Cora, who ignores me.
Gently placing Raya down, I’m by Cora’s side in an instant.
‘Protettore,’ I whisper, reaching for Alex, but my hand clutches empty air.
I don’t make it in time.
Placing her hands either side of his face, she twists, and just like that, Alex is dead.
I don’t have any time to process what just happened because I feel my bite flaring on Raya’s arm, sending a fire through my veins. I jerk back in shock before quickly darting back to her side, blinking down at her. My heart thunders against my chest as I clasp her hand in mine.
Her transition has begun.