Thirty-Five

The sound of her own panting breath echoed loudly in her ears. Her vision blurred as she stared at the lush emerald palm branches that seemed to be hovering near her forehead. Arlo was leaning over her. His deep green eyes were frantically searching her face.

She was fading in and out of consciousness as Arlo checked her pulse. It was faint, but she was alive, hanging on by a delicate thread.

This couldn’t be happening.

“Iris! Oh my God! Iris! Please say something! Are you okay?”

She couldn’t move. She couldn’t speak. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Arlo jammed a recovery shot in Iris’s leg and she jolted as the concoction rushed through her body. It felt like lava was coursing through her veins and charring her from the inside out. Her muscles seized and small blisters came and went on every inch of her skin.

Finally she coughed and darted upright, gasping for air.

“Iris,” Arlo said, kneeling by her side. “Are you okay?”

“I forgot how much those freaking shots hurt,” she said through gritted teeth before collapsing back to the ground. She could barely move, but she was communicating.

Arlo smiled, and Iris grinned back. Her body was sluggish, but her mind was moving fast. “You need to call Knox. Tell him we need a mass Idas spell, and an ambulance for some of these people,” Iris whispered. “There were too many bystanders.”

Iris tried to look around at the damage but she couldn’t turn her neck.

“Hey,” Arlo said in a hushed voice. “Don’t speak. I have it taken care off. Belinda’s doing an Idas as we speak, and someone already called the cops.” He ran his fingers down her hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” Arlo choked out, his eyes glistening. “I just don’t know what I would have … I just … I kind of can’t believe you pushed me out of the way like that.” He gently stroked her cheeks. “I’m just so happy you’re okay.”

“Hey, what are Hunters for?” She cracked a grin but it quickly faded. She suddenly remembered there was so much Arlo did not know. So much she needed to say.

“Look, there are some important things I need to tell you,” Iris started. Her voice was still shaky. “Something about you, and about something that happened with a—”

“Hey,” Arlo interrupted, grabbing her hand. “You saved my life, nothing else matters.” He smirked. “Plus, our kiss was pretty hot.”

Iris could feel her skin blush and her lips burned hot. “Really?” she asked, letting out a gritty cough.

“Um, yeah.” He smiled as he held her hand tight.

She gazed at Arlo sitting in front of her. He was so adorable, so lovable. He was kind but funny. Confident but not cocky. She cared for him. She wouldn’t let anything happen to him.

And then, the reality of the situation set in.

Iris couldn’t let Arlo go back to the Fortress, back to her father. He had betrayed them all, and having Arlo at his fingertips would make it easier. Iris might be off the Hunter team, but she still bled Hunter’s blood.

“Listen, you can’t go back to the Fortress and you need to make sure Belinda goes back to the lair. My dad, he’s … Arlo …” She screamed. “This recovery shot is seriously going to kill me!”

“You’re going to be okay,” Arlo said, squeezing her hand tight. “You’re a badass Witch Hunter. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

She grinned as a lump formed in her throat. “I …” Iris choked. She gazed at him and gagged again, the life suddenly draining from her body. “Oh God,” she cried in agony, grabbing at her side. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and then, the world went dark.