Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Wind whipped through the open doors, lifting the curtains and knocking the glasses off the table, causing them to roll against each other. Causing them to rattle like the chains had as they’d been lifted, stretching my arms until I felt as if they would be torn from their sockets. My chest heaved, but nothing but the thinnest breath seemed to get through.
“Sera,” Ash said softly as the chandelier swayed above me, casting strange, dancing shapes against the walls. “I need you to slow your breathing. Take a deep breath and hold it.”
I heard him. I understood. But all I could think about as I stared at him was that he knew. His features were stark, and…
And I felt like I was going to break.
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t break.
I wouldn’t.
My lungs seized. There was no air as the chasm that had cracked open in the Dying Woods split wide, sending a rush of every emotion through me. But it wasn’t the long-buried pain and loneliness that rose, rearing its head and taking shape like a wraith that haunted every thought. It was anger, sorrow, and shame that coated my skin like thick, choking oil. The fury of being made helpless. The sorrow of all those who had come before me and the control, freedom, and everything else Kolis had taken from me—from us. The godsdamn shame I knew—I fucking knew—shouldn’t be mine but still was because that fucking voice in the back of my head whispered that I should’ve been smarter when I dealt with Kolis. I should’ve prepared myself better. I should’ve been stronger. If I had, I could’ve handled Kolis better. I would’ve realized that The Star was above me the whole time. I would’ve freed Ash sooner. If I had been stronger, he never would have felt my desperation and torn at his flesh to get to me. If I was stronger, there wouldn’t still be a piece of me locked in that cage.
I would’ve been able to deal with this. Would have gotten over it.
All of it was too much.
My throat sealed. Panicked, I started to back away. I couldn’t breathe.
I needed to get away from here—from it. I had to. I had to. I had—
The panic was snuffed out instantly, crushed by something feral and powerful. Instinct took over, and it was primal. Ancient. Wild.
And it wanted out. Needed to take back control.
Ash’s eyes were wide and bright—too bright. “I’ve got you,” he swore. “Always.”
I could feel that wild, primal, ancient thing inside me stretching, and I knew it understood Ash’s words.
A hum suddenly filled my ears. My blood. Heat swamped every part of my body. I noticed Ash’s mouth moving and his features sharpening until I saw the pores of his skin and the faint shadows beneath it. I saw the blood pumping in the veins of his neck as a distant rumble jerked his head toward the balcony doors. My skin vibrated. Every part of me buzzed, and in the back of my mind, I knew something was happening.
Something was changing inside me.
A fire hit my flesh, filling my mouth with the taste of blood and ash. My chest rumbled as the vibration intensified. Gold-tinged silver light dots appeared on my hands and arms, and then they were everywhere.
Pain flared along the sides of my face as my jaw stretched and expanded, peeling my lips back. Canines grew. My nose flattened. My body spasmed, doubling me over. My lips peeled back more as my jaw popped out of its socket. My knees cracked and changed shape. My fingers shrank and thickened. Strands of silver-tipped gold fur sprang from my flesh, rapidly covering my hand as my nails grew and sharpened. The straps of my nightgown snapped. Silk slipped from my body as I contorted, bones cracking at the joints and then fusing back together. My back bowed as I changed. Shifted. I fell forward, my…paws landing on the stone floor with a soft thud.
My breathing slowed.
My heart calmed.
Taking a step back, I shook myself. The feeling was amazing. I did it again, letting out a pleased purr.
The air shifted around me, and I reacted. Sinking back, my tail swooshed over the smooth stone, and a sound came from within me that turned deeper and raspier. I bared my fangs, my muscles tensing as I prepared to leap—
The threat backed off, giving me space. Muscles twitched as I held myself still, staring at leather-clad legs. Neither of us moved for several moments.
A cool breeze sifted through my fur, drawing my attention to the swaying drapes. To the outside. Muscles twitched more. Anticipation pounded through me, becoming a need.
My claws rapped off the stone as I moved slowly toward the doors, and then I took off.
Crossing the balcony, I leapt onto the railing, balancing myself as I quickly scanned my surroundings. I jumped, landing on the ground below.