Chapter 26
The shadow demons were on Dash in less than a second, heaping on top of him in a pile of darkness and evil. They covered him like predators feasting on a fallen doe.
It was as if my body reacted before my mind actually could. I screamed, thrusting out my hands as energy surged. A mixture of colors burst from my palms. All the magic the guys had bestowed on me, and other kinds mixed in there, too.
It shot forward, striking each and every shadow demon. They flew off Dash, screaming that awful shriek as they were burned alive.
I didn’t care. I only had eyes for Dash. I ran to his fallen form, sinking to my knees as the battle raged behind me.
There were bite marks everywhere. All over his body. Puncture wounds that were already turning black with decay. My hands hovered over him, not wanting to cause him any more pain.
Dash’s chest rose and fell in labored breaths as his eyes met mine. “Love you forever, Mon Coeur.”
Tears filled my eyes, spilling down my cheeks and onto his body. I gripped his hand. “Don’t talk like that. We’re going to get you fixed up.”
His mouth curved in an unsteady smile. “Greatest gift of my life, loving you.”
My tears came faster, sobs wracking my body. “Stop it.”
I gripped his hand tighter, not knowing what to do or how to help. I’d never felt more useless than at this moment. I cursed Maryanne for keeping me from this world. If she hadn’t, maybe I would’ve known how to help Dash.
Footsteps sounded behind me, and my head jerked up, ready to defend Dash with whatever I had. But it was the guys. The shadow demons they’d been battling were simply gone. I realized that when killed, these creatures simply disappeared, leaving only some of that disgusting tar behind.
Their expressions were completely ravaged. As if a piece of their souls had been torn from their chests. And in many ways, it had. Dash was a part of all of them, this bond linking us together for all eternity. He was a brother, friend, and soulmate.
Declan and Ronan moved to Dash, lifting him, even though I could see Ronan’s shoulder had been mangled.
“We need to move quickly,” Colt barked, jogging ahead of us.
I kept hold of Dash’s hand as we hurried toward the house.
Colt jerked open the door, and we carried Dash inside.
Baldwin ran toward us. His shirt was torn, and he had a deep gash on his face. His face crumpled as he took in Dash. “The infirmary,” he murmured, hurrying ahead of us.
We moved as quickly as possible, navigating the hallways without jostling Dash. His body had begun to shake as if he had chills from a high fever.
Baldwin threw open the infirmary door and flicked on the lights. He was already moving toward his medical station as we set Dash on a bed. He instantly got to work mixing various ingredients in a large bowl.
“Please be okay. Please be okay.” I dropped my forehead to the back of Dash’s hand, whispering my words like a prayer. As though if I didn’t stop saying them, I could somehow bring Dash back.
Colt moved in behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders. “Pour your energy into him. You’re bonded now. You can help him heal.”
“How?” I croaked.
“Visualize it,” Declan said. “Like a river of energy going from you to him.”
“It’s dangerous,” Trace growled. “She could give too much and hurt herself.”
I didn’t care. I’d give Dash every last thing I had.
I closed my eyes and pictured that tangle of magic. I tugged on it, trying to move it as one entity. Nothing happened.
Curses flew from my mouth as I fought the urge to scream.
Squeezing my eyes tighter, I tried pulling on a couple of strands. Green for Dash himself. The deeper gold for Colt, hoping that his quick healing abilities could help Dash. And purple for Trace, hoping that the demon energy might combat the demon venom coursing through Dash.
Those strands flowed through me, from my torso to my chest and down my arms. I felt the moment it moved into Dash’s body. Heat pulsed through my hands, and Dash jerked.
“She’s doing it,” Ronan whispered behind me.
Hope flared somewhere deep. I could do this. I could help him. Bring him back. To me. To all of us.
Colt squeezed my shoulders. “Careful, LeeLee.”
But I didn’t listen, I pushed on the magic with everything I had in me. More colors joined the energy already bleeding into Dash. I prayed it would be enough, that I could heal his body from the inside out.
“Quick, cover his wounds with this poultice,” Baldwin called. “It will amplify the healing magic.”
I heard movement around me, but I didn’t dare open my eyes for fear I would lose my focus. I heard scissors cutting off Dash’s shirt to apply the salve. The guys’ energy swirled around me, and I knew they were all helping. Working together to save Dash.
“Please,” I whispered.
I shoved harder at my magic, needing it to save him.
I couldn’t imagine a world without Dash in it.
His goofy smile. His kind heart. The surprising domination that came when we were alone.
He’d been the first one to truly make me feel welcome.
He’d given everything for me, and I’d give him the same.
A wave of dizziness crashed into me.
“Leighton?” Ronan clipped.
But I didn’t answer, I simply kept pushing.
One last shove.
Magic burst through me in a tidal wave. But it was too much.
Someone shouted my name, but I was already falling.