[Asher’s POV]Pain... That’s all I could feel as my body hit the spikes below. A pain so intense and so all-consuming that it felt like I was being ripped into tiny pieces. It was nothing like the time I was nearly burned to death helping Haidan, and it made clear that my life truly was over.Biting back the screams of agony that wanted to escape me, I opened my eyes and stared at the large spike that was sticking through my chest. Blood slowly oozed from it and covered the ground below."I’m sorry, Leah." I coughed as my lungs filled with blood. "I couldn't...""Couldn’t save her?" Kelvin offered from above. "Couldn’t play the hero and save the day?"A look of amusement flashed in his eyes as he crossed her arms. Clearly, he was enjoying all of this. Typical Kelvin."Don’t worry." He continued, lifting a hand that caused my body to begin to lift. "I won’t let you die that easily."As he spoke, I continued to lift until I was dropped on the ground at his feet."See, it doesn’t pay to
[Ashton’s POV]"Stay back." I hissed as Thia attempted to follow Leah and Ian into the fray. "You don’t have any of your abilities right now.""That doesn’t matter." Thia snapped. "My family is in danger. I can't just sit here!""Yes, you can." I countered. "Please, just listen to me this once. Go and find the kids; get them far away from all of this. I’ll find you as soon as I can. "Before Thia could argue, I quickly leaned forward and kissed her. The kiss was nothing more than a quick peck, but I could feel so much from it. Pulling away, I gave Thia a smile as Tatiana appeared behind her and placed her hands on her shoulders. Once they vanished from sight, I turned towards the battle field and began to move.Around me was pure chaos, and it was hard to tell who was gaining the advantage. The ground beneath my feet was scattered with both the bodies of the enemies and those of my fellow comrades. Why Azura and her warriors hadn’t appeared was beyond me, but I couldn’t focus too hard
[Leah’s POV]I watched as everything seemed to move in slow motion. Ashton was moving through the air, Asher releasing the ball of energy, and then the energy hit Ashton’s forearm, causing it to disappear entirely as it was eaten away by the power."ASHTON!" I shrieked, scrambling forward as he hit the ground."Stay back." Ashton warned, clutching what was left of his arm to his chest.Stopping, I looked from Ashton to Asher as he prepared to make another attack. I couldn’t let this happen!"I’m sorry, Ashton." I hissed, running past him. "I can’t let Asher do something he will regret.""That isn’t Asher!" Ashton yelled.Maybe to them it wasn’t, but to me it was. Despite his current state, I could still feel the real him in there. He was struggling, and I couldn’t let him go through that alone."Please!" I gasped, continuing to move until I was an arm's length away. "Don’t do this!"Asher didn’t respond as his cold eyes met mine and his lips began to turn up into a slow evil smile."B
[Leah’s POV]"Could you explain why you’re here?" I demanded as Craig began to pull me along."Later." Craig huffed, looking over his shoulder at the creatures that were following us. "First, we need to get away from these guys!""Why not fight them?" I asked, digging my heels into the earth. "You’re just leading them back to my home like this!"None of this made much sense to me. Craig roaming around outside of my home and then not seeming too surprised at seeing these creatures. There was clearly something going on that I wasn’t aware of, but what was it?"Are you crazy?" Craig asked as I finally managed to break free of his hold. "What can you possibly..."The rest of his words died out as I called on the fire and let it explode towards the creatures. Giving a satisfied smile, I watched as the monsters closest to me began to shrivel and shriek. I would make sure they understood that they fucked with the wrong person."Leah, look out!" Craig called, just as an arrow flew by my head
[Ashton’s POV]"The past?" I repeated, trying to make sense of what Antoine had said. "You just said the past.""That’s right." Antoine confirmed.Letting a frown spread across my face, I turned my attention to Craig as he silently waited for us to give him our full attention. He looked pretty damn modern to me with his jeans and hoodie, not to mention his looks. Why did he think we would believe that he was from the past?‘Just let him speak.’ Leah murmured through mindlink. ‘It isn’t like we have very many options as of now.’She was right, we were out of options, but that didn’t mean that I was just going to believe a complete stranger. Honestly, there wasn’t time to sit around and listen to whatever this wackadoo had to say. The rest of our group and pack mates were still missing.As this thought crossed my mind, a blinding light appeared in the middle of the room, followed by Ian's appearance, covered in injuries and barely conscious. I watched in shock as Leah rushed forward to
[Leah’s POV]I remained quiet as Antoine and Ashton seemed to go straight into battle mode. How were they both so okay with doing something that could alter everything? Sure, even if things were changed, the mates we were given by the moon goddess wouldn’t, but how would we know to look for them if we remembered nothing?"Leah?" Ashton called, drawing my attention to him.‘Hm?’"I know you’re worried." He began, seeming to immediately pinpoint my issue. "But you heard Ian." He continued. "Everyone is dead and we’re next if we don’t do this."‘R-right.’I knew he was right and I knew that this was what needed to be done, but I still couldn’t stop the pain I felt at the thought of not remembering Asher or Arabia.Arabia… As her perfect face flashed in my mind, I felt a knot begin to build up in my throat and tears prick at my eyes. My precious girl was gone. As was everyone else that I cared for. Something about it didn’t seem real."Would you rather stay here?" Antoine suggested "You d
[Leah’s POV]I held my breath as Craig led us into a dark hallway with a long stairwell leading down beneath the earth. Once we reached the bottom, the sound of laughter drifted towards us, filling the deafening silence that was becoming unbearable."In here." Craig announced, beginning to knock an odd beat against the door. "They’ve been waiting."Nodding, I watched as a tiny peep hole was opened and a single golden eye peered out at us."Craig?" A low voice growled. "I thought you were dead!""Not so lucky." Craig responded, letting out a laugh. "I’ve brought the help as promised.""Mmm." For a moment, whoever was behind the door seemed to say something to someone beyond."Could you let us in?" Craig asked, taking a step back and crossing his arms."Yeah, yeah." The person behind the door grumbled.A huff escaped Craig as the peep hole slammed shut and the sound of locks being undone filled the space around us. "You sure we are welcome?" Antoine asked as the door ahead of us opened
[Leah’s POV]"You’re Asher." I insisted. There was no way that I could mistake the sensations I was feeling from where we touched."Who?" The man asked in confusion."Leah," Ian murmured, giving my body a slight tug. "That isn’t Asher."Frowning, I continued to take in the man. The eyes that met mine were the exact same color as his, as were the facial features that surrounded them. I mean, sure, there weren’t any burn scars and no mask, but this could be how Asher looked before the accident."I’m sorry," the man said gently, grabbing my hand and beginning to pry it off. "I’m not the person you’re searching for.""R-right."Stepping back, I felt my pain shoot through my heart. He wasn’t him; he wasn’t. My Asher was gone. He lost his battle to the darkness, and it was all my fault."Come on, Leah." Ian whispered as I continued to stare."Yeah."Despite wanting to stay with the man that reminded me so much of my mate, I allowed Ian to begin to lead me away. Maybe after some rest, my hea