Chapter Seven #2
I came back into being raging, my entire body shaking from both the rush of Dreamwalking and the horror of what I’d realized at the end. I knew my power was out of control, but I wouldn’t risk clamping down on it yet. She might need me like this.
At my most primal.
And my most dangerous.
The power throbbed in my veins, making my muscles expand, my fangs ache.
If I had looked in a mirror, my eyes would’ve been glowing the same bright red of my skin.
All this to say, I’m sure it was a shock for me to appear, full mate fury, in the middle of what appeared to be a mid-day meal preparation.
My sister leaped up from where she had been reading a book and rushed towards me, yelling for Albtraum to come quick.
He rounded the table and made his way to me, his deep red skin flushed with power as well.
I growled at his attempt to intimidate me.
It might work on his constituents, but I was his brother.
He would need to get the fuck out of the way.
And quickly. “I am going back,” I growled, trying to keep my voice low, even as the rasp in it made it nearly unperceivable.
“We know,” Albtraum said, his voice gentle, “When you were snatched into that dream, Arafel walked after you to be sure everything was alright. He knew instantly it wasn’t a sleeping dream but one from an injury.”
I nearly whimpered at the mention of it, my instincts still raging. This was a waste of time. I needed to leave. My magic rose like a tidal wave in my chest. “I need to get to her. I’m leaving! Now!”
Albtraum stared wide-eyed at me and I knew on some level that I looked completely insane, I had never felt like this. Never acted like this.
But, I would now. Especially if they didn't get their shit together.
“Get me there now, Albtraum, or I will go to Arafel and ask him myself.””
He blinked rapidly. “No, sorry. Of course. You need to get back there, check on your mate.”
Antheia appeared at my side, a hand pressing against my forearm.
I flinched, growling at her before I recognized her scent.
“Easy, brother. I just wanted to give you this.” She pressed something cool and round into my palm before taking a quick step back.
I glanced down. An obol lay there, the gilded edges shining back up at me.
My breathing slowed, and I glanced at her, my mind still too focused on getting to Lulu to come up with the questions I needed to ask my little sister.
Because obols were not common. They were not even allowed unless in very specific circumstances. And for her to just give me one. I snarled, “What is this?”
“Arafel left you a pass to the Living world, but that,” She gestured at the coin, “That’s just in case. You should never be trapped where you don’t want to be.”
Her smile was sad, her eyes soft in a way that triggered every one of my protective instincts once again. “Antheia…”
“Go to her,” She murmured, stepping even further back, “We’re fine.”
But, the tone of voice, it told me that nothing was okay.
Nothing was even close. But, I didn't have time. I could hear my brother reciting Arafel’s transportation spell.
I could feel my skin growing too hot, too tight against my skeleton, and for a moment, I wanted to scream.
I wanted to lift my head to the sky and howl at the pain of it.
And then, like a pop under pressure, I was suddenly standing in Traum’s office. My brother was across the room in two strides, his body vibrating with barely controlled power. “Zaldi, where have you been?”
I shoved him off, “Lulu is hurt, I have to go.”
“Zaldi!”
I didn’t turn back; I didn’t even think about it.
I simply ran down the hall and out into the Salus Glen sunshine.
My long legs never wavered, even in my glamour, carrying me down the main street sidewalks, which were busy this time of mid-morning.
And when I got too frustrated with the people in my way, I hopped the fence and continued to gallop through the back lots and yards off towards Lulu’s house.
I knew she’d fallen. I knew she was hurt. And my every instinct was telling me to get to her as fast as possible. But nothing prepared me for the moment that I actually saw Lulu laying across the drive, her arms splayed wide, bare feet still against the grey cement.
“LULU!” I screamed, ignoring the catch of my flesh on cement as I crashed to my knees at her side.
I was as gentle as I could be, pressing her hair back from her face, then carefully feeling around the back of her head, where I found the knot rising there.
Cursing in every language I knew, I yanked my hand back when the spot felt damp. My fingertips were bloody.
“Fuck, Lulu.” I carefully moved her body into a safe position and then slid my arms under her still body, cradling her to my chest as I rose from the ground.
I could take her to the hospital. But I couldn’t drive. I would have to run there and while it wouldn’t be a problem for someone like me, it would certainly raise a lot of eyebrows to see me running through the city with my bleeding mate in my arms.
But I didn't care.
Not anymore.
I turned, my muscles tensing with preparation for our sprint towards the hospital when a sharp gasp froze me on the spot. And then, incredibly, my body felt the flare of magic behind me. Every hair rose on the back of my neck. Another creature, here. Now. Fuck.
Carefully, I tightened my grip on Lulu. No matter what, I would make sure she was safe, then I would deal with whomever was behind us.
Pumped full of power from her dream, I would have no problem dispensing with anyone who threatened her. Letting my fangs drop lower, I slowly turned.
Only to see the petite, silver-haired grandmother, Lulu loved and adored.
And she was pointing a wand directly at my chest.
“Tell me incubus,” she said softly, “What exactly are you doing with my granddaughter?”