HER PAIN SPLINTERS THROUGH every fibre of my being. Raya convulses, soft groans escaping her as she writhes on the ground. Holding Raya’s limp hand in mine, I desperately try to harness her pain into me, so that she doesn’t feel a thing, but with the way tears flow down her cheeks and her body twitches and jerks in agony, I know she is feeling every bit of torture the transition is forcing her to endure.
The only sounds in the room are her laboured breathing. Cora is frozen beside me, staring down at her sister. I pay her no mind, still undecided how I feel about her and the things she has done. If she truly still cares for Raya – like I hope she does – then I can look past everything that has happened. I know how manipulative and psychotic my brother is, and she was naïve and vulnerable. He took advantage of her – that part is clear as day – but I have yet to see whether her intentions with Raya are pure or not.
My darling bonded.
Writhing in pain, her skin grows paler by the second as sweat beads across her beautiful face. The transition from human to vampire isn’t a kind one. Some have not been able to stand the pain, but she can, and she will. She is strong. Much stronger than her petite frame and gentle eyes let on.
Running my fingers down her arm, I try my best to soothe her, knowing nothing I can do will help much, but I can’t sit beside her and do nothing.
‘You really care for her,’ Cora whispers. I look up as her eyes dart from me, to her sister, and back again. ‘You love her.’
‘I do.’
When she sighs, it sounds heavy with sadness. ‘You’re nothing like your brother.’
When I don’t bother with a reply she continues, ‘I was so scared, you know. When I heard Raya was looking for me, and with a vampire at that. Then finding out she is bonded to that vampire who is also related to Kian. I was sick with worry for her, my baby sister.’ A hiccup escapes her, and she swallows, clearing her throat. ‘I hope you’re a good guy, Hunter. She deserves nothing less.’
‘I will worship the ground she walks on,’ I say firmly.
Cora’s lips part as she blinks at me. Slowly, she nods, and I can see the resolution of belief in her eyes.
‘Good.’
Casting a look over to Alex, who’s lifeless eyes stare back at me, I heave a sigh, resting back onto my free hand.
‘She won’t forgive you for that,’ I say, jutting my chin toward the dead body in the room. ‘He was her best friend.’
‘There was no choice when it was down to her or him.’
‘I understand that, but it won’t change the fact that it will destroy her. He only came on this trip for her. She will wear this guilt for the rest of her life.’
‘I killed him, not her.’
‘And yet the blood will be on her hands,’ I reply. ‘In her mind, at least.’
Cora’s eyes narrow. It’s clear she doesn’t like that I’m talking to her as if I know Raya better than she does. I would never claim to know her better, but I certainly know a different side of her that Cora has never met.
The consistent thudding of Raya’s heart, a tune that plays as constant background music in my mind, stops with a booming silence that echoes around inside my head. I sit up and lean over her, scanning her features, looking for any sign of movement.
Her lips part as she chokes on a gasp.
My breath catches in my throat.
Her eyes snap open and I stare into beautiful, black eyes.
‘Legata una,’ I whisper, tenderly caressing her face, assessing her quickly, looking for any signs that something has gone wrong.
‘Hunter.’ Her voice is barely above a whisper. ‘I feel different.’
‘You are different.’ Leaning down, I kiss her lips, tasting blood.
Staring up at me, looking a little dazed, she lets out a sharp breath.
‘I turned. Didn’t I?’ she whispers, reaching for her throat, touching the once-crushed windpipe, now completely healed.
‘Yes,’ I say, nodding. ‘You’re like me now.’
‘Like you.’ She smiles. ‘And with you. Forever.’
‘Forever,’ I promise.