Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"Drink," a voice commanded, piercing the thick veil of darkness enveloping me.

I tried to turn my head to escape the insistent tone, but firm hands held my neck in place. Pain pulsed at my throat, a dull, persistent throb that echoed through my being. Every part of me felt hollow, as if my essence had been drained away. A chilling thought crept into my mind. Was this what death felt like?

"You're mine, Sawyer. I demand that you drink." The words cut through my haze of confusion. That voice. Strong, possessive, achingly familiar. Justice?

My heart leaped at the thought, hope and fear mingling in a dizzying cocktail. This was the Justice I knew, the vampire I had fallen in love with. His tone brooked no argument, filled with a fierce protectiveness that resonated deep within me.

Almost against my will, my lips parted. Something pressed gently against my mouth, and a flood of liquid cascaded over my tongue. The taste was indescribable. Sweet yet spicy, rich and complex. It spilled down my throat and chin, and with each drop, a spark of life reignited within me.

Instinct took over. I drank greedily, desperately, as if this mysterious elixir was my only lifeline in a stormy sea. With each swallow, I felt strength seeping back into my limbs, chasing away the numbing cold that had gripped me.

"Stop." Justice's voice cut through again, gentle but firm. "Wake up, Sawyer."

My eyelids fluttered, feeling impossibly heavy. I fought against the lingering darkness, clawing my way back to consciousness. Finally, my eyes opened and immediately locked with Justice's dark gaze.

What I saw there nearly took my breath away. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. The depth of emotion in them—guilt, relief, love—was staggering.

"Sawyer, I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice rough with anguish. "I don't know what came over me. Can you ever forgive me?"

As he spoke, I became aware of strange sensations rippling through my body. The wounds on my neck tingled, an odd feeling of flesh knitting back together. It should have hurt, but instead, it felt almost soothing. With each passing moment, strength flowed back into me, chasing away the lingering weakness.

I wanted to speak, to reassure Justice, but my mind was reeling. The memory of his savage attack clashed violently with the tender concern he now showed. Confusion warred with relief, love with lingering fear.

As I lay there, caught between Justice's remorseful gaze and the miraculous healing of my body, one thought crystallized. We had broken the spell, but at what cost? And where did we go from here?

I raised my hand toward Justice, my fingers trembling with exhaustion and lingering fear. The simple act felt monumental, bridging the chasm that had formed between us in those terrifying moments.

Justice's brimming eyes tracked my hand's movement. His expression was a tapestry of emotions, hope warring with self-loathing, love intertwined with crushing guilt. My palm neared his face, and he hesitated for a heartbeat as if afraid his touch might shatter me.

Then, with infinite gentleness, he pressed his lips to my palm. The kiss was feather-light, almost reverent. I felt the slight tremor in his lips, the way he inhaled as if trying to memorize my scent. It was a gesture of apology, of supplication, of a love so deep it transcended the horror.

The warmth of his breath against my skin grounded me, chasing away the last wisps of that terrible darkness. I found my voice, surprised by its steadiness despite the turmoil roiling within me.

"I forgive you," I murmured, each word weighted with conviction. I pressed on, needing him to understand. "This wasn't your fault. It was Maci and the lust demons."

As I spoke, I realized the truth of my words. The Justice I knew, the man I loved, would never willingly harm me. This attack, this nightmare, was orchestrated by forces beyond our control. Maci's vindictive scheme was the true culprit.

Justice's composure cracked at my words. A single tear escaped, trailing down his cheek. He turned his face, pressing it more firmly into my palm as if seeking absolution. I felt the dampness against my skin, a physical manifestation of his remorse and relief.

"Sawyer." He breathed my name like a prayer. "I don't deserve your forgiveness. I could have… I almost…"

I summoned what strength I had, cupping his face with both hands now. "But you didn't," I insisted, forcing him to meet my gaze. "You fought it. You came back to me. We're stronger than their magic, Justice. Our bond, our love. It broke through."

The truth of it resonated through me. We had faced an impossible test, stared into the abyss of our worst fears, and emerged on the other side. Battered, shaken, but unbroken.

Justice's arms encircled me, pulling me close with exquisite care. As I nestled against his chest, hearing the steady thrum of his heartbeat, I knew we had a long road ahead. Trust would need to be rebuilt, fears confronted. Yet, in this moment, wrapped in the embrace of the man I loved, a flicker of hope ignited within me.

He scooped me up effortlessly, my body fitting perfectly against his muscular chest. The warmth of his embrace enveloped me, and I felt the steady rhythm of his heart beating in sync with mine. My fingers tangled in his thick hair, relishing in its softness and scent.

He peppered kisses down my throat. "I'm sorry," he murmured against my skin, his voice raw with emotion. "I love you with every fiber of my being." With a gentle tilt of his head, our lips met in a passionate kiss, sealing our love and forgiveness.

A deliberate cough cut through the air, shattering the intimate moment. Justice's arms tightened around me for a heartbeat before he reluctantly loosened his grip. As he pulled away, his lips brushed my forehead in a tender kiss that spoke volumes.

"I love you," he murmured again. His fingers gently swept the stray strands of hair from my face, the touch lingering as if he couldn't bear to break contact. "Always remember that."

The depth of emotion in his eyes made my breath catch. It was as if he was trying to imprint this moment, this declaration, into my soul.

I turned my head to see Garrick and Maggie standing nearby, their expressions filled with concern and relief. Maggie wore Garrick's shirt, the fabric draping her small frame like a dress, nearly reaching her knees. Her bare toes curled into the earth as if seeking stability after the chaos we'd endured. Despite the oversized garment, a newfound strength filled her stance, a quiet determination that hadn't been there before.

Beside her, Garrick's muscular form was illuminated by the soft glow of dawn breaking through the trees. The early morning light played across his taut muscles, highlighting the tension still evident in his posture. However, his eyes weren't on us. He stared at the surrounding forest, alert and wary.

"I hate to break up this lovely moment." Garrick's voice carried a hint of sarcasm, but an underlying urgency set my nerves on edge. His smirk didn't quite reach his eyes as he continued to scan the tree line.

I followed his gaze, and a chill ran through me. Dozens of glowing red eyes punctuated the darkness of the forest like malevolent stars dotting the night sky. They blinked in and out of existence, a silent but ominous reminder of the danger lurking around us.

"But we need to get out of here," Garrick continued. "I don't think the lust demons like us breaking their little spell."

The air thickened with tension as the reality of our situation sank in. We had overcome one challenge, broken free of the demons' influence, but we were far from safe. The eyes in the darkness pulsed with anger, promising retribution for our defiance.

Justice's arm slipped protectively around my waist. I leaned into him, grateful for his support since my legs still felt unsteady. Maggie moved closer to Garrick, her hand finding his in a gesture that spoke of their rekindled bond.

As we stood there, a united front against the encroaching darkness, I couldn't help but feel fear and determination. We had survived the lust demons' first assault, our love and connections proving stronger than their dark magic. Yet, as those red eyes glared at us from the shadows, I knew this was only the beginning.

Whatever came next, we would face them together. Our bonds, tested and strengthened by this ordeal, would be our greatest weapon against the darkness.

"Let's go," I stated, my voice steadier than I felt. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me, and part of me yearned desperately for the safety and comfort of home. The thought of never seeing another demon again was tempting beyond measure. Still, deep down, I knew that wasn't an option. Not yet.

I straightened my shoulders, drawing on a well of inner strength I'd inherited from generations of Grants before me. Grants never gave up a fight, and I wasn't about to start now. "We've got to get back to your private hideaway to save Damon and Zara."

Garrick's face tightened, his eyes narrowing as he considered our next move. "It could be overrun with both lust and sloth demons," he warned. "We might need?—"

I cut him off, raising my hand sharply. The mere implication of what he was about to suggest sent a surge of protective fury through me. "Don't even say it, Garrick. I'm not leaving my brother behind."

The words came out fierce and unyielding. Damon was more than my brother. He was part of me. The thought of abandoning him to the demons' clutches was unthinkable. I met Garrick's gaze, silently daring him to argue.

Justice's hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. The gentle pressure was reassuring, grounding. "We won't," he replied. "I promise. We'll get him and Zara out of there."

Garrick shook his head, resignation and respect in his eyes. "Then you'd better get us there," he returned, his tone carrying grim anticipation. "This won't be an easy fight."

Justice's lips curled into a slow smile, a glimmer of his old confidence shining through. "It never is," he replied, a hint of excitement coloring his words. Despite everything we'd been through, I saw the warrior in him rising to the challenge. "Everyone, hold hands."

We linked ourselves together. I gripped Justice's hand tightly in my right, feeling the strength and reassurance flowing between us. My left hand found Maggie's, her fingers trembling slightly but her grip firm. Garrick took up the rear with a protective stance. After what we'd all endured, it was clear he wouldn't let anything happen to Maggie again if he could help it.

Justice's eyes met mine, seeking silent confirmation. I nodded. With a slight incline of his head, he acknowledged our readiness.

In a blur of motion that left my stomach lurching, Justice pulled us along, his vampire speed propelling us back toward Garrick's hideout. The world became a dizzying swirl of colors and shapes, the wind whipping past us with incredible force.

As we raced across the land, my mind was a storm of emotions. Fear for Damon and Zara, determination to see this through, and a fierce hope that we weren't too late. The memory of the red eyes in the forest haunted me, a reminder of the danger we were rushing headlong into.

I clung to Justice's hand, drawing comfort from his presence. As the landscape blurred, I sent up a silent prayer. Let us be in time. Let us find the strength to overcome whatever horrors awaited. Let us bring Damon and Zara home safely.

But my prayers went unanswered.

Justice abruptly stopped. Garrick's private hideaway was infested with demons, but that wasn't all.

Maci was here, and she was a dragon.