Reaching Retribution(84)

“I’m fine. Come on. Let’s go.”

“You should rest, Natalie,” Logan says.

“No. Liam is still out there fighting and while that is good, I need to let him know I’m fine. Also, Ryanne doesn’t get a chance to rest. We need to keep going for her. She’s fighting for her life right now, and I’m not going to rest while she’s still out there. I’ll rest when she’s back here safe.”

I smile at Natalie, proud. I even see the grateful expression on Dr. Arden’s face. “How much of that antidote do you have left?” I ask him.

“A couple more drops. I’ll help where I can, Colton.” I reach down and help Natalie stand up.

She looks down at her stomach. “Hmm…I didn’t like that.”

“Most people don’t like dying,” I tell her. “I wouldn’t make a habit of it.”

She smiles at me and starts walking toward the door. Logan follows after her. I turn around when I feel a hand on my arm. I glance down and follow the hand to a body. “Please keep her safe, Colton. Do what I can’t,” Jedrek tells me.

“I’m trying my best. She’s not making it easy though.”

“She’s just like her mom,” he says with a sad smile. “I’m glad she found you all. I’ve heard about what Dravin has done to her. Do not hesitate to kill him.”

I wish there was a way to break the bond, so he wouldn’t die if something happens to Dravin. I don’t want to see him die, but I know Dravin needs to be stopped. Dr. Arden has already accepted that he’s going to die today, so I nod. It’s a shame Ryanne never got to know this man better. Based on the look on her expression when they spoke earlier, I know she wishes she had the chance. Instead of answering him, I turn to leave the room. There’s nothing I can say that will make this situation any better.



Throwing open the back door of the compound, Natalie steps out and looks for Liam. I can see him in the back, taking on three men.

Liam? I have no idea how this mind communication of his works, but it’s actually kind of helpful. It explains so much. Liam and Bragden would always give each other these glances and I just thought since they were brothers, they understood each other more. Bragden’s probably the only person who knew about Liam’s extra power. I don’t think he ever told Ryanne. Natalie hasn’t spotted him yet, so I point her in the right direction.

Is she okay? Liam asks as he knocks out the men he’s fighting with. He turns and looks toward the compound doors. Natalie smiles widely at him when their eyes meet, and Liam starts to make his way over to us.

“You ready?” Natalie looks up at me and asks. I look at the field in front of us. Everyone is still fighting. Magic is flying in all directions. I can see Tom, Colin, and Vincent standing in the middle of the field, fighting in a circle. David and Emma are fighting beside Bragden and Incendia. They are blasting fire at anyone who steps too close to them.

We could actually do this. I look to my left, toward the platform. Dravin is using his power on mages who attempt to fight him. Natasha is standing beside him, defending him by asphyxiating people, but her eyes are scanning the crowd. If we’re going to stop him, it’s going to have to be a team effort. Liam punches a man and rushes the rest of the way to Natalie. He runs into her and picks her off the ground. Natalie laughs and wraps her arms around his neck. “Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”

“No, Dr. Arden and Logan healed me,” she says into his neck. “I’m good.”

“Dr. Arden?” Liam asks as he places Natalie back down on the ground. I unsheathe my sword and look toward the field.

“He saved her, Liam. Now, let’s get this over with.”





Chapter Twenty-Six


I’m swaying. I’ve never been on a boat before, but I imagine this is what it feels like. My head rolls to the side, and I smell the salt from the water and can hear it crashing against the shore. Maybe I am on a boat. I could get lost in this feeling. I have no control of what’s going on with my body at this moment, and since I don’t have my anchor, I’m floating away at sea.

When my head rolls back, I jolt awake. I see the dark clouds above me and Zahtri to my right. What is going on? I groan as I grab my head.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Solving our issue,” he answers without looking at me.

I turn to the left and see Zahtri slowly walking toward the edge of the cliff. I’m not on a boat; Zahtri is carrying me. I gasp as I attempt to get out of his arms, but he tightens his grip, holding me in place. I literally cannot move.