“No!” Everly screams as the witch pulls out a blade right before I reach her.
I can back off or go for it. There’s no telling what she’s got on that blade. But I don’t hesitate. Not when this bitch would come for my mate again. I take the blade in my gut and wrap my hands around Mrs. Brewster’s neck.
Her eyes widen in surprise. “Fool!” she whispers before I snap her neck. A thunderous crack echoes from my act, and all the plants in the garden begin to wilt. Great big blooms fall and vines shrivel as Mrs. Brewster’s body falls.
“Everly.” I turn and run back to her, scooping her into my arms as I run from the burning house and the crumbling garden of poison.
“You’re bleeding.” She tries to pull my shirt up, but I don’t give her any space. Not until we’re away from the witch’s den and back at our house.
I slam the door behind me and carry her toward the stairs. Sitting heavily, I keep her clutched to my chest, then claim her mouth in a kiss.
She protests, but then she answers, her mouth so soft and warm against mine. I love you so much, poppet.
Ian stumbles in from the sitting room. “What the hell just happ—Holy shit, he’s bleeding.”
Everly pulls away from my kiss and yanks my shirt up. “Vinny!”
I slump backwards on the stairs, my now-beating heart getting sluggish.
“Help him!” Everly screams and presses her hand to my wound.
“I love you.” I reach up and cup her cheek. “I love you more than life, sweet poppet. I won’t die. I can’t.”
“Poison.” Ian kneels beside me, but I can’t look at him. “Shit, what kind of poison is this? You’re bleeding so badly.” He peers at it, and as he does, Everly sits beside me, her face going pale.
Panic begins to pound through my veins. “Poppet?”
She blinks sluggishly.
“Poppet!” I try to pull her to me, but I’m suddenly so tired.
“Fuck!” Ian wipes a hand down his face. “It’s the mate bond. If one of you—No.” He stands and darts away toward the library.
I pull Everly back into my arms, and we slip into a heavy sleep. One where our bond will live for eternity, whether in the dark or in the light.
22
Everly
“Evy baby.” A soft hand cups my cheek. My eyes flutter open to see my parents standing in front of me. They don’t look a day older than I remember.
“Mom? Dad?” I ask, confused. I have no idea what’s happening, but before I can ask anything else, they’re flinging their arms around me. They pull me into a tight hug. I grip them hard, praying this isn’t a dream.
“Missed you, pumpkin.” My dad brushes his lips against the top of my head like he always used to do.
“Where are we? Where’s Vincent?” I start to panic.
“Yes, Vincent. You need to go back, sweetheart. I just wanted to see you for a moment, and this was my chance,” Mom says, her eyes filled with tears.
“He’s a good mate.” Dad smiles down at me. “You did well,” he says to my mom.
“Wait? What does that mean?”
“I might have nudged you two in the right direction of finding each other faster is all. As strong as you are, my beautiful daughter, you need a guardian, and your mate will be that for you. He only needs to remember in his haste to save you that risking his own life risks yours as well.”
I nod in understanding, too overwhelmed to speak. Emotions are clogging my throat.
“Tell Buffy thank you from us.” Mom leans in and brushes her nose back and forth against mine. It’s something she always did when I was a little girl.
“I don’t know if she made it.” Tears start to slip free. My mom swipes them away.
“She’s got more lives than all of us. Buffy is fine. Now go on back and save your mate.”
“But there is so much I don’t understand.” I don’t want to go back yet, but I know I need to. Vincent needs me and I need him too.
“All that matters is that you know we love you.” She places her hand on my stomach. “We love these little girls too.” She winks at me as she starts to fade. Or maybe it’s me that fades as love tugs me back.
“Everly!”
I gasp. My eyes fly open to see Ian and Harry kneeling over me. I turn my head to find Vincent lying next to me on the floor. Our fingers are locked together.
“Did it work?“ Ian asks Harry.
I ignore them, rolling over on top of Vincent, trying to get as close to my mate as I can. I can feel that he’s weak, but his heart is still beating. I press my wrist against his mouth, knowing that my blood can help him.