Demon kissed: demon kissed

Chapter 26

I pushed Collin within inches of his sanity to snap the bond. As soon as I felt the bond slacken, I launched my body through its hold. Pain shot through me. It felt like bone was ripped out of my skin in one big chunk. I screamed. Breaking the bond left me breathless, and writhing in pain. I knew I had to get to my feet and run before Collin's animal instinct to kill anything that hurt him woke up.

I ran before he came after me. But, I wasn't stupid enough to think I was safe. My feet beat the ground. My lungs sucked in air, aching. I didn't stop. I focused on the ruby and saw the church building in my mind—its dreary brick façade, and the trees that faded into the distance behind it. I imagined it from across the street. I felt my blood boil as heat surged through me. Efanotation sucks. My body felt like it was on fire and disappeared into the air. I had no idea how far I was from the church, but it felt like forever. The burning didn't stop. I wanted to cry out, but had no breath to scream. The fire licked my stomach, searing my insides. When I wished I would die, the mist dropped me on my knees in front of the church.

I clung to the grass, coughing as my body protested being hurled through space and burned. I fought the urge to lie down on the cool ground, and pushed myself up. My thoughts raced. I had to get to Al. I needed to know what was happening. Pain shrieked from my shins, and stabbed at my ribs when I moved. I was almost there, but transporting my body had weakened me. I was safe though. I'd made it to the church, one of my safe spots.

A wave of relief flooded over me. It ended as an ear-piercing scream echoed behind me. Spinning on my foot, I saw Eric remove a silver sword from the chest of a man with a red scar above his right brow. The sword flashed in the light, slicing through his throat. The night was quiet again. The ground around him was glistening scarlet.

My hand covered my mouth, as I fell to the lawn. The man's blood and his entire body turned to thick black goo. It looked like tar mixed with molasses. It sunk and was reclaimed by the earth. My body reacted without my consent. I dry heaved onto the lawn. Eric grabbed my underarms, dragging me toward the church. He was talking to me, but I couldn't hear him. Nothing registered. I don't know why it shocked me, but at the moment being around Eric was the worst thing I could imagine. He angled my uncooperative body through the door, and sat me on the nearest pew.

"Ivy. Ivy!" his voice crashed through my haze. "What happened? Where were you?" I sat there mute, wiping my mouth. The death of the Valefar danced before my eyes. Suddenly, I realized that was also my fate. No, wait. My fate was worse. I felt myself blanch. My head felt light, as it swayed with unseeing eyes.

Eric's warm hand was on my neck before I fell. He forced my head down between my knees. Warmth flooded my skull. The pounding of my heart thundered in my ears. His gentle voice said, "Breathe. Just breathe." His hand remained firmly on my back, waiting for me to pull it together. "Ivy, what happened to you?" Eric whirled in front of me and lowered himself to his knees. "I swore I'd protect you, and I will. Tell me what happened."

My long hair fell forward. It obscured my face. My throat stung. "I have to tell you something. It's not good." My heart hammered. I fought to control my voice. "Do you trust me, Eric?"

He recoiled. "Of course. I just risked my life for you. I'd do it again." His hand was on my forearm. He gave me a gentle reassuring squeeze.

"You mean that? It's not just because I'm a Martis?" I asked.

He sounded offended. "Of course not. Ivy, I'm your friend. I was your friend before you were blue."

"Sometimes people can't be friends. Sometimes they're just on the wrong side of the line. Sometimes they can't help it." I swallowed, hoping he'd see where I was going, "Sometimes blue is just a color."