“You’re worth everything, Kilter,” Rayne replied.
I was shocked to hear her speak telepathically with the clarity of an Ancient.
“Let him go. Now,” Rayne repeated.
The Lilac raised her brows, her fingers tapping on her thigh. “And if I do, you will come with me? Willing?”
The wire cut deeper into my throat as I arched against the vampire’s hold of me and I could no longer breathe.
“Very well…” She said something else, but I couldn’t focus anymore as my vision and hearing faded.
Suddenly, I was released and fell to the ground, collapsing onto my back.
Then Rayne was on her knees beside me. Her palm on my cheek, tears in her eyes, and a choked sob escaped. “Oh, God, Kilter.” Her eyes shifted to my wound.
I knew what she was thinking, and she was right. It was fatal if I didn’t get to a healer soon. “Her heart. Aim for her heart. Then run.”
She shook her head defiantly. “Don’t give up. Don’t you dare give up.”
“Babe… not giving up.” I could barely get the words out, and she rested two fingers on my mouth. “But you can’t go with her… too dangerous. Damn it, shoot her. I can hold the others off while you run.” It was a chance. That’s all she needed. A chance to get away. Once the Lilac had her, she’d disappear and, even if I survived, the chances of finding her were slim.
“I love you,” she whispered. A tear trailed down her cheek then slipped off her chin to land on my chest.
Didn’t she understand that if she left me and I survived, there would be nothing for me except destruction? This would obliterate me.
“Rayne—”
“No touching,” Jasmine said as she casually strolled toward us.
Rayne stiffened and lifted her gun.
“Baby,” I whispered, then closed my eyes. “Don’t…”
“They would’ve killed you.”
Most likely they still would, if I didn’t die first.
Danni’s voice plowed into my head. “Kilter, where are you? Jedrik and Delara are at the gallery looking for you and Rayne.”
“Rayne….”
“Tracking you,” Danni said.
Fuck, it would be too late.
I STOOD. I DIDN’T know what I was doing, except trying to save Kilter’s life. My guess was Jasmine wanted me alive, and that was my playing card.
I trembled.
My heart pounded so hard it hurt, and I was terrified this wouldn’t work. “Call your pets off.”
Jasmine nodded to the vampires and Long Necks and they backed off.
I half-smiled, at least I tried to fake a half-smile. “If Kilter dies, I will fight you for eternity.”
Kilter’s half roar sounded agonizing like a crackled, ragged shout. I tried to block it out as tears welled.
Jasmine raised her brows, smiling. “You won’t know if he lives or dies.”
“But I will.” I glanced at Kilter. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “You know what I am, Jasmine. A Reflector. And my connection with Kilter is powerful. I’ll know.” It was a lie. I wouldn’t know, but I was a Reflector and what I shared with Kilter was strong.
“Rayne, you don’t understand,” Roarke shouted in gasping breaths. “Damn it, she will use you against the Scars—” His words were cut off as Jasmine nodded to a Long Neck and he dove on top of Roarke, putting his long, filthy fingernails into his chest like five daggers.
“No,” I screamed and ran to him. A hand latched onto my arm, stopping me, and I whirled, squeezing the trigger. There was no sound as the bullet went through his forehead and he collapsed to the ground.
Jasmine stepped back. “Your Roarke will recover, but he won’t.” She nodded to Kilter. “He is dying. If we stand here any longer, you won’t have any bargaining power.”
I saw her fingers twitch, and I was ready to dive to the side before her webs caught me in a snare.
“Rayne, Christ, no. Don’t. Delara is on the way.”
I ignored his words. My card had been dealt, and if it meant Kilter’s life, then I was willing to do anything. I’d never had the opportunity to save anyone, never had anyone to care enough about. Now I knew what it meant to love another.
Jasmine smiled. “Shall we go?” She nodded to the three remaining vampires and CWOs and they scattered.
“Fuck. Noooo.” Kilter’s voice screamed in my head.
I peered at him, needing to see him one more time. But not like that. God, Kilter, stop fighting. He struggled against the webs, but they only tightened around him as the blood seeped faster from his wound.
“Please, Kilter. Don’t. Let me go knowing you’ll live. I need that.”
He didn’t respond.
“Get in the car,” Jasmine ordered.
It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Walking away from him. Not knowing if he was going to survive.
I wanted to leap out of the car and run to his side, hold him in my arms, protect him. Kilter needed someone to protect him for once.
In the distance, I heard sirens. Someone must have reported the gunshots.
I closed my eyes as the door slammed shut and the SUV backed out of the alley. I didn’t know if he was near enough, but I had to try. He was the one person who would know what to do. Who could help Kilter and get him to Anstice.
“Waleron, Kilter is in trouble.”
Silence.