Page 150 of Shadow's Raven

The shifter growled in frustration.

"Let's at least try to get all of us out of here,” I coaxed. “Otherwise I’ll just come back to find you.”

He didn't say anything but the stubborn cat did take a step closer to me.

The rattle grew louder.

"We're out of time," Henderson said. "I'm going to land between the two of you so keep an arm out for me. In three–"

His countdown was cut short.

Next to my left foot, something shot up out of the rocks. I leapt away as it struck, missing me by an inch.

Henderson appeared but I was now out of reach. Nik's face contorted as his shift began.

Henderson yanked Nik in my direction, reaching for me. I sprung to close the distance, arm out.

A deathly hiss emanated from the creature's mouth, still hidden in the foliage.

Right before our fingers touched, my lower leg screamed in agony, a horrendous snap reverberating in my ears. I almost passed out from the pain.

The venom was hot and thick, like tar on a hot summer day. It burned its way into my cells, filling the channels of my veins.

The taste of bile filled my mouth. Delirium made it difficult to focus, but I could still make out my traveling partners, who were arguing.

I was vaguely aware of the contorting feel of the jumps we were making. Why so many? We needed to rest.

Visions of Casimir danced in my mind. Tall and muscular and so ruggedly handsome it was a wonder he hadn't already mated some other female long ago.

Mated.

There was something I was supposed to remember about that, something important to keep my mate safe. The mark on my palm burned.

The bond.Something about the half-formed soulbond.

I reached for my witch's eye. I couldn't find it. Why was it hiding from me?

My thoughts scattered as I began hallucinating. I saw Casimir looking down at me, mouth moving but no words coming out. It felt real.

I tried to call out his name, but my voice wouldn't work. He was so close. No, I'd left him at Embour. He’d hurt me and I …

More voices came through the tunnel I'd fallen into. Distorted shouts and curses flew around.

The web of poison began a second attack. My body grew colder and heavier, inching towards the black abyss until it threw me over, into a sea of electricity. A female with wings sang a mesmerizing tune.

How strange it was, thinking about electric shocks and angels as I plunged further down, until I had no thoughts at all.

Chapter 31

Casimir

An hour ago …

"Shit," I blurted, pulling my hand back from the rolled out parchment.

"What?" Draven asked.

"I don't know. My palm felt like it was burning for a second."