GAHRYE
"It's not true," Gahrye whispered. But no matter how he blinked, the image wouldn't leave him of that tiny, toothless smile that looked so like his own.
Next to him, Elia's beast growled and leaned forward against the grip he had on her neck. But he didn't move. He couldn't.
The darkness pressed in and Gahrye swallowed hard.
"It's not true," he repeated, stronger this time. "You're lying."
The voices twisted around him, still keeping their distance, but pleasure in their tones now. "Were we lying about your mate, Protector?"
"Should have listened to us, hero," another voice spat. "Our reach is far wider than you think."
"You think you walk into safety?"
"There is no safety from us. You walk into our clutches."
"But no mate!"
"Never a mate again!"
"She is ours, Protector, and if we cannot keep her, we will use ours to take her. Only after she has had the babe, of course."
