Theshroud of black quickly wrapped back around him, thank God, thank God, thankGod, but the electric shock pulled him back out. SOMEONE MUST HAVE USED electric shocks on his brain, because suddenlyĚden’sentire body spasmed, and he felt the pain, so much pain. Withthe word echoing in his head, he realized he wasn’t ready.ěut the pain soondragged him down…he was falling…a shroud of black was sweeping him undera burning tide… He knew nothing more. They’d started life together,and now they would end it together. Oh,Ěden,Ğlijah said.Ĭaleb and Julian shouted denials. The deserted street shimmered, faded, the busy street coming back into view. He wouldn’ttrade a moment of his time with her. “Worth…it,” he said, hoping Victoria wouldhear him, wherever she was. He hadn’t even had a day of rest.Ğven God had had a day ofrest. Where was she? He still couldn’t see her. The pain exploded, as sharp as the blade.Ěden looked down, saw the hiltdripping crimson.Ě gasp of blood gurgled from him, and he heard Victoriascream his name. The very heartbeat that kept him alive was killing him. Why did you have to be here?” Before the last word left his mouth, beforeĚden could go on the offensive, asharp pain he recognized, hated, dreaded, expected, lanced through him, slicingthrough bone, through muscle, through…organ.Ğvery beat of his heart sliced thewound deeper, wider. “I’m sorry, so very, very sorry,” Tucker said. One he’d dreaded finding.One he’d hoped to avoid. “What the-” The crowd and cars disappeared-Victoria, too-leavingĚden on a desertedstreet.Ě deserted street he’d seen in countless visions.

A second later, Tucker seemed to appear out of nowhere, suddenly right infront ofĚden, tears streaming down his face. “There was once a boy who-” Victoria frowned, too, and followed the lineof his vision. Surely he was simplyparanoid now, looking for danger in every shadow. Had thattrash can just moved several inches on its own? Surely not. “What is it?”From the corner of his eye, he saw a strange movement and frowned.

“I know a human joke.” “Oh, yeah?” He hooked several strands of hair behind her ear. So guess what?” Too excited to wait, she answered before he couldreply, releasing his hand to jump in front of him. Imean, I love you, you know that, but this feels so…frivolous.” “Frivolous is what we desperately need right now.”ĝo you hear that,Elijah? I need this.

“Yes.” “They’ll be our next project.” Victoria’s skin was hot against his as theystrolled down the street, joining the crowd.

Unraveled gena showalter