He looked at her hard. She saw the resignation to his own death in his silver eyes.
“I didn’t drown myself so you could give up!” she snapped, growing upset.
“I’m not giving up. I can’t fucking control it!”
“You are the strongest person I know. If anyone can do this, you can,” she told him. “And I forbid you from killing Toby! He’s annoying and mouthy, but he’s just a boy. Or an angel or something. I can’t imagine killing an angel is any better than killing a little boy.”
Rhyn said nothing. She watched him pace, his long, muscular legs drawing her eyes. A familiar ache filled her, one that made her want to launch herself into his arms and never leave the dream world. It was better than traveling the underworld with Gabriel or fighting with Kris for an ounce of respect.
At the same time, she knew whatever Rhyn faced outside the dreamscape was as bad as what awaited her, if not worse. She didn’t know how either of them could make it back to each other, but they had to.
“Gabe says hi,” she whispered.
Rhyn met her gaze. She never imagined him being defeated by anything, and she felt pain at the look on his face.
“I couldn’t even protect my own mate. I can’t protect anyone else,” he said.
“You must find a way. Find Toby,” she said. “Please.”
“Find Toby, blow myself up,” he said. “I can do that.”
“Rhyn – “ she objected and reached out to touch him.
He disappeared again, and her hand met air. Katie muttered a few curses and looked around. When he wasn’t there, she was alone on the dream island, until Gabriel awoke her. Fortunately, Death’s assassin didn’t wait long to shake her.
Katie awoke from the dreamland and sat up groggily. It was dark. The dual moons of the underworld were high overhead, another sign she hadn’t slept more than an hour or two. The trees overhead hissed as the branches moved like snakes in a soft breeze.
Gabriel held out a hand and pulled her up, silent despite his size and small armory of weapons.
“More circles again today?” she complained. “I’m so sick of this jungle.”
“Concentric circles throw off the creatures pursuing us,” he reminded her. “Unless you want them to catch you.”