Page 66 of Take

The images came quicker like a movie played in fast forward and I weakened, just as Jasper had with each day they left him there. His body began shutting down and then . . . his Ink. Its strangled cries begged to be released from the chains the vampires had thrown over the tattoo to keep it trapped.

But it was locked in his body as he grew weaker.

I heard Drake’s footsteps walk toward us and knew if he came close enough, he’d notice the wound on Jasper’s chest hadn’t been healed and my hand on his shoulder was the only one burning with heat.

I had to take the chance Drake couldn’t hear us. I needed Jasper’s help. I moved both my hands to his shoulder blade and used everything I had to bring his Ink back to life. I had seconds. “Rise. He needs you. Breathe.” An Ink couldn’t be called upon if the Scar was wounded. But I could. At least I think I could. I communicated with my mother’s Ink many times. If I brought Jasper’s back to life, then I could call to it without him.

The burning in my hands was so intense it was as if I was holding them in the flames of a fire. But I’d couldn’t stop. I’d never stop. “Jasper, what’s your Ink’s name? I need to call to it.”

“Baby, what are you doing? My Ink . . . he can’t . . . he can’t come to form when I’m wounded.”

“By you he can’t. But I can call him. Jasper, there’s no time, tell me. Now.”

I knew Drake was behind me and then . . . he hauled me backward so hard I fell on my ass. I heard Jasper’s roar and the chains as he struggled to break free.

“Groar. It’s Groar.”He stopped moving and I saw him close his eyes and knew he was trying to help me call Groar to life.

I had no choice. I needed to say the words aloud as they were more effective than telepathically. “Rise Groar. Jasper needs you. Live and fight for him. Protect him.”

“What did you do?” Drake grabbed me by the hair and I winced as he pulled me to my feet. “You bitch.” He raised his fist and I braced for the pain, knowing if he knocked me out, our chance was lost. Jasper’s Ink would be sluggish and even worse was that it would weaken Jasper further.

But his fist never connected as something crashed into the both of us. I landed hard on my side and I was dazed for a second before I looked for Drake. He was on his back with a snarling wild boar-like monster, with silver skin covered in tattoos, on top of him. There was blood splattered all over Drake. I scrambled toward them and saw the damage the Ink had done with its first leap. Its razor-blade horns were covered in Drake’s blood that had penetrated his chest.

But he’d heal. He was a half-vampire and within minutes, he’d heal again. Drake grabbed the Ink by the horns and as soon as he did, his palms bled as they cut into him. Ignoring the damage, Drake tossed Groar across the room. There was loud squeal as he hit the wall and fell on his side and then he was on his hooves again and tearing for him.

I scrambled to my feet and ran for Drake at the same time

“Max. No.” Jasper’s words were lost to me as Groar leapt on Drake again but this time Drake was ready and dove to the right and then whirled around and grabbed Groar’s leg and yanked so hard I heard the crack as the bones broke.

But Ink’s never gave up and that was what I depended on. Groar would fight until death or until his master called him back.

Saliva foamed at the corners of Groar’s mouth as he panted several times. Then he made a deep screeching growl, spun on his hooves and tackled Drake to the floor, his fangs going for his throat. Drake held him off, with his hands pushing on the thick neck.

I dove for them and pressed my hands onto Drake’s chest as Groar pinned him to the floor. I didn’t have long. There was no question Drake would win against the Ink; physically he was stronger and faster. My advantage had been surprise, but all I needed were a few minutes.

I called to my ability and my hands heated. I was dislodged for a second as they flipped to the side and Groar used his horn to carve a five-inch long gouge in Drake’s cheek.

“I’ll kill him,” Drake shouted. “You’ll wish you were dead, Breanna. You’ll beg me for it and I’ll never kill you.”

I glanced back at Jasper and he was watching me. God, he was pale and could barely keep his head up. He had to call his Ink back before it drained all his strength. My hands burned as I pressed them as hard as I could into Drake’s chest, but instead of healing, I did the opposite. I drained him of everything living.

“What are you doing?” His voice was a whisper as I took all that he had. His heart slowed as I bore down on him. Drake’s hands slipped away from Groar’s neck and then his eyes rolled in the back of his head.

I stopped blood flowing through his veins. His organs from functioning and then . . . lastly . . . I stole the air from his lungs. Lungs I’d healed for six years.

Drake’s sudden harsh, cruel laugh with his last breath sent cold shivers through me. His eyes flashed open and they met mine for a brief second as he said, “He will die with me anyway. Remember your house, Breanna. He will burn just like your mother.”

Jasper’s Ink jammed his horn into Drake’s neck at the same time as his heart hesitated and then . . .

Nothing.

I collapsed to the side, my body trembling and cold, even my hands were freezing. I couldn’t stop; I had to get to Jasper. I crawled to my feet, staggered and fell to my knees. “Go to him,” I said to Groar. The boar with its broad shoulders and heavy weight walked past me, blood dripping from its horns to leave droplets on the floor along its path. He then leapt into the air toward Jasper, following the bright string of light that bound them. The beam of light dwindled as it merged with Jasper again and I saw his body jerk at the impact.

“Jasper.” I scrambled to my feet again and ran to him, collapsing against his chest, arms wrapping around his neck. “Jasper.”

His eyes were closed and he was freezing cold. His heart was so faint I had to press my ear to his chest in order to hear the slow, irregular beats. “Hold on, baby.”

I put my hands on his wound but they remained cold. They weren’t warming. They weren’t heating up. “Oh, God,” I cried as I pressed them harder into the wound. “Please. Please.”