The world slammed back into my body with a violent jolt. Pain tore across my ribs in a hot wave, pulling a snarl from my throat. Dirt scraped my palms. Blood roared in my ears. For a heartbeat I thought the hybrid still stood over us, ready to strike again.
Then I realized the far worse truth.
Sage was gone.
My head snapped up, breath ripping through my lungs. The clearing was not empty. Not destroyed. But she was not here. The air still carried the faint echo of her scent, but it was fading into nothing.
“Sage,” I rasped, forcing myself upright even as pain stabbed through my ribs. “Sage, where are you?”
Hazel dropped to her knees beside Zack, her hands shaking as she checked his pulse. He groaned but managed a thumbs up. His clothes were torn, his skin scraped, but he would live. Ha
