Chapter 9 The Broken Bond

The universe dissolved into a nothingness as Seraphine felt the presence of the beast's jaws clamping around her. It was cold, a numbing chill that began radiating through her body as her senses dulled. The coppery smell of blood was in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the damp cave around them. The creature's hot breath on her skin, its roar of fury that filled her ears, then turned to darkness. But then, a warm presence washed over her, a scent like home, a voice, a tug that pulled her back. Ash. “Ash,” she whispered, dry of throat, barely a breath as her eyes opened a flutter. She was out of the cave no longer. No howling beast, no claws ripping into her flesh. She had been lying in his arms, drenched in blood and shaking. His face grew pale, and his eyes widened with a mix of panic and resolve. He had saved her. She held the beard against his cheek, and, perhaps because she was somewhat nervous, her hand quivered slightly. "You saved me?" Ash trembled on her lips as he drew her close. “I’m always going to save you,” he whispered, resting her head on his forehead. His voice was ragged and raw with emotion. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her heart quake. "I promised I'd protect you. Seraphine closed her eyes, a relief tempered by a touch of dread. The battle was far from over. They were nowhere near safe. The operatives had been out there had still been coming after them. And he, the one who created the beast, was still there still watching in the dark. They were not alone. "We are. Where?" Seraphine said faintly, attempting to rise. Ash paused; his hold on her tightened. “A secret bunker, not that far from the cave. I had to bring you here after it attacked. Seraphine looked down and saw her gory body gashes all down her arms and bruises over every inch of her body. The pain was a persistent pulse by now; she could even sense it and feel the blood that had stained her shirt, that had spattered her hands, that had covered her like an emblem of the boxing she had escaped from the grip of. Her wolf began to stir, urging her to heal, to shift, to regain control. But she didn't she couldn’t she had to remain in control. The danger wasn't over yet. "Is the creature dead?" she asked, struggling to concentrate through the haze of pain. Ash’s jaw clenched, the clouded look of guilt falling over his eyes. “It was, but I had to kill it first.” His voice cracked, just a bit, in his throat as he spoke, the enormity of what had just occurred weighing heavy between them. The truth he didn’t mention, Seraphine could feel. He wasn’t only referring to the monster; he was referring to the part of himself he had lost along the way. She had seen the man Ash had been, the man who would do whatever to keep her safe, to make sure he survived another day, and yet she felt his hesitation. He didn’t want to be that kind of person, the one who faced those decisions. Neither of them did. “It’s over now,” Seraphine said softly, raising a hand to his chest. “You’re not alone in this. We’re in this together.” Ash stared at her, his expression raw with emotion. His eyes softened and his shoulders fell, as if lifting the weight of the world off him, if only for a moment. “I know,” he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “But there’s one other thing we’ve got to take care of.” Seraphine furrowed her brow. "What?" "The man. behind it all. He's not done with us yet. He wants to come at us again. He’s looking for a favor, Seraphine. “I don’t know what it is, but I know he won’t stop until he gets it.” Finally, the fear that has been eating away at Seraphine’s insides for days rises to the surface. What it all meant: So caught up butt fighting for survival, she hadn’t stopped to reflect on what really was happening. "What does he want from me?" she said in a strained, anxious voice. Oh my. Ash scorched his eyes, anger that had boiled away beneath the surface now bubbling forth. “I don’t know yet, but we’re going to find out. I won't let him hurt you." Seraphine already knew to take his words at face value. She saw the savage, blistering love in his eyes, and she knew nothing would stop him from doing whatever he had to do to keep her safe. The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance while a cold wind rustled through the cracks of the bunker. It was faint, but utterly unmistakable. The operatives estimated its proximity, and they were closer than ever. “We have to move,” Seraphine said through gritted teeth as she lifted herself off the ground, her body screaming in protest. "Now." Ash jumped up, sweeping his eyes about the dark room. “There’s a backdoor exit to the place. That’ll be our way out before they arrive here.” Barely listening, Seraphine simply nodded, her mind racing with what this could mean. What would they do if escape was impossible? What if this was the end? No. She couldn’t think like that. Not with Ash by her side. She trailed Ash down a narrow tunnel at the rear of the bunker, walls closing in around them as they went. Her hearing was acute, but the weight of fatigue was heavy on her shoulders. She fought so hard to live to protect him, and now they were only a few steps from the truth. They weren't safe. Not yet. It opened onto a forest glade, moonlight coming through the trees. But those lungs were not right yet; even as the fresh air hit them, Seraphine knew. Hairs rose at the nape of her neck, and she knew she could feel their eyes on her. “There are no more places to hide,” Ash said, but the words came out low, heavy with dread. He had halted, clutching Seraphine’s arm and dragging her back behind a tree. "What's wrong?" What the hell was going on? ” Seraphine asked, her eyes scanning the surrounding forest. "I don't know." Ash’s voice faded as he turned toward the darkened line of trees. "But I feel it. They're out there." Seraphine’s senses screamed at her to move, to run. But it was too late. A volley of gunfire pierced the air, and Seraphine’s body was faster than her brain. She pushed Ash away from the line of fire, feeling the bullets tear the air and graze her shoulder. Pain flared in her body, but she did not stop. This: the adrenaline coming faster, harder than ever before. She heard Ash call out, but she didn’t turn back. Now footsteps sounded from all sides, her enemies closing in. She had to protect him. She had to keep him safe. Seraphine shifted with a growl, the beast inside her melding with her flesh. Her eyes becoming chipped diamonds, her claws stretching beyond comprehension, her teeth morphing into bone-shattering knives, she was an unforgiving Iron Maiden; she was no longer a woman; she was a weapon. Operatives emerged from the shadows, guns raised, masked faces hard-set with grim determination. They weren’t prepared for what Seraphine unleashed, though. One final, wild cry, and she charged at them. But in the melee, one voice rose above. "Seraphine!"