Page 43 of Elysian

His scent touched my senses. A pleasant tickle in my nose. I was so busy trying to place his scent that he continued sniffing me.

“What is it?” I stiffened from his proximity.

“You smell good. You always have, but now?” He inhaled harder, and on the heels of it, he groaned. “You smell of sunshine. How is that possible?”

I swayed, my knees giving out. It forced me against him until his body pressed against my side. After my experience with Cassiel, I knew exactly what that prod against my side was. I pulled away so quickly that my hip screamed and I toppled.

“Amara!” Hester cried and rushed toward me. Egan was already grabbing my arm to right me, but I leaned toward Hester.

“We should get back before,” I mumbled, and shivers began assaulting my frame.

A chill climbed over my skin. My vision wavered, and I relied on Hester’s guidance. Her arm wrapped around my waist.

“Take care with her,” Egan ordered. “When I have another moment to get away, I will come see you.” His lips rubbed against the shell of my ear. I followed the press of Hester’s arm pushing me forward. It took all my will to keep my knees locked.

“I will go in the front to catch her if she falls,” Officer Brandt said, but I did not have the strength to answer him, much less thank him.

I swayed, and the ground went out from under me. I was in free fall. Arms caught me, carrying me. My thoughts continued to come in fragments, the discomfort in my bones growing.

“Hand her to me!” Cassiel snapped from a distance.

Then the true pain began. I believed I had felt it before, but I was mistaken. My bones had been set aflame.

“Ah, this must be the final part,” Al crowed, voice muffled as if he spoke from a distance.

I did not know where I mustered the strength to lift my head. Officer Brandt had a hold of my waist, and one side of my body leaned against him. We took a few more staggering steps forward, then he came to a complete halt.

I managed to pry my eyes open. Officer Brandt’s head was turned toward me, nose flaring.

A loud snarl vibrated the surface of the pane. “Do not.”

Threat coated Cassiel’s voice. He strained against the chain, staring down the officer, the red of his eyes pulsing into the gold.

Officer Brandt hoisted me toward the division between Cassiel and myself until a pane separated us.

“Will you be able to stand on your own?”

I nodded, and even that small move felt like a boulder had taken up residence over my head. He let me go, and the ground tilted. He managed to grab my arm before I collided with stone.

“I guess not,” I slurred.

“I will enter with her,” Hester announced.

She came close and tucked herself under my arm, gripping my wrist that was over her other shoulder. Officer Brandt sighed in relief, retreating to the crank to open the first slot of the cell. I could no longer hold my head up, and I used every bit of strength to move forward. The swish of the closing glass pane informed me we were through the first section.

“I will be back after a small doze. From what I know, this final part of the process takes hours.” Al yawned and steps shuffled. “Officer, keep an eye on them.” He walked over to the gas lamp, twisted the little knob at the front that extinguished the flame, then he did the same to the other four hanging from embedded hooks around the chamber. All of them, except for a single one beside the bookshelf entrance.

“Come now,” Hester murmured, pulling me into the cell. A chill traveled up my arms. “Can you walk to him?” Her hand was tight and trembling.

She was scared. I nodded, or did something that felt like it, and straightened. With one step, I was toppling.

“Just do not kill me, Your Highness,” she mumbled, bracing me the rest of the way.

My feet were taken out from under me, and Cassiel’s leather smell filled my nose. I could not cease shaking.

“Fetch Drusilla,” he snarled at Hester.

“Do not shout at her.” Moving my mouth hurt.