Aurek’s raised hand locked my body in place with terrifying ease.
One second I was moving toward him.
The next, I was frozen mid step, muscles locked, lungs straining, my body stiff as glass about to crack.
Pain shot through my limbs. My fingers twitched uselessly. Every nerve screamed.
Not again. Not this. Not him.
Jack snarled, the sound so violent it shook the air. He grabbed my arm and pulled, but it was like trying to drag a statue carved from stone.
“Lainey,” he growled, voice sharp with panic he never let anyone hear. “Stay with us. Fight him.”
Beau grabbed my other arm, the panic in his voice completely unhidden. “Lainey, look at me. Stay with us.”
I tried to turn my head toward them. I could not. The command held me too tightly.
Aurek walked toward me slowly. Controlled.
