Hellhound Born (Kasadya #3) by Karen Swart Page B

was inside it!
     
    I grabbed it and brought it to my mouth, the juice soothing the burning sensation that had claimed my tongue. I downed the entire jug and released a relieved breath.
    “Thanks, I needed that.” I thanked him.
    He settled me back onto the bed and I heard him rustling about. Peeking through my eyes, I saw him pouring more juice into the jug before he returned it to me.
    “Here is some more if you need it.” He offered.
    This time I sat up on my own and took the jug from him. My eyes started to function again, fluttering to remove the acid that plagued them. I took a few more sips of juice. I looked at him and almost choked.
    “What happened to you?” I croaked.
    He shrugged and a small grin formed on those perfect lips.
    “I haven't washed yet,” he replied.
    He sat back in the chair that he called his bed the other night, his eyes focused on my bruised form.
     
    “How do you feel?” He asked concerned.
    He was looking at me like I was about to sprout an extra eye or something.
    “Like a train hit me. Is this going to happen every time?” I was dreading the answer.
    The whole divinity thing was a real pain in the butt. Hell, it was a pain everywhere.
    “Yes, unfortunately it is the process. Those that will follow will be even worse.” He explained with sympathy.
    Oh good. I can pass out again .
    I gave him the jug and lay back again, not impressed with any of this.
    “Is there no other way?” I questioned, a slight whine in my voice.
    “No, sorry,” he replied, rubbing his hand over his face.
    In that moment, I finally saw just how tired he was. The bruising under his eyes told me that he hadn’t slept in days.
    “Have you been sitting here all this time?” I asked.
    He turned his face away from me and looked around in the room.
    “Yes. You were in a bad shape. Your life is my responsibility,” he stated.
    Wow, that sounded so duty bound.
     
    “Well, hell. Sorry for the inconvenience,” I blasted back at him.
    He pinned me with an annoyed look. “Kasadya, I was worried about you.”
    My face dropped so fast it almost slammed into the bed.
    Crap.
    “Oh, well thanks.” It took all of me to manage that simple thanks.
    He stood up and moved towards the door.
    “Rest, we can talk later,” he said before leaving my room.
    Why do I suck at this whole bond thing?
    My door burst open and the team stormed in. Nanini and Raven jumped on the bed and I was jostled around, my body bouncing off of the bed.
    “Wow, wicked show Kas,” Nanini said with a grin.
    “Scared the crap out of us,” Lada mumbled from behind her.
    I gave them a small smile.
     
    “Next time I am going too. I don’t care what Caim and Zurita says.” Raven didn’t look happy at all.
    “Kas, how are you feeling?” Max asked. His face was filled with concern.
    “Except for the train that hit me, Okay I guess.”
    He nodded, but no smile greeted me.
    “Did you see how freaking huge you are in your hellhound born form?” Nanini asked, jumping on my bed with excitement.
    Huge? “Ah, no I haven’t,” I replied.
    “Well, you make Max look like a school girl. Wow Kas! You were like Godzilla big,” she continued.
    I looked at Lada and Max for some support or maybe an explanation.
    “Michael said it was because of the first kill. Your body has already grown to accommodate the rest that’s coming,” Lada said with a smile
    Great, so I am a huge freaking hellhound now.
     
    “How does it feel when the lightning runs through you like that?” Lotan asked, coming to sit next to me.
     “Like I am being fried alive, I guess. It’s no fun at all,” I replied.
    “Well, you gave us an awesome laser show. I can't wait for the next one,” Nanini replied, her face beaming with happiness.
    I must have gone white, because they all started laughing.
    I don’t see anything funny about this .
    “Okay guys, scoot. I need to check on Kas,” Maia said, stepping inside the room.
    The team said farewell and went outside