CHAPTER 11

The first thing Eva felt was warmth. She felt a safe comforting warmth wrapped around her trembling body. She blinked slowly. Pain throbbed beneath her ribs. Her clothes clung to her like a second skin—wet, sticky… stained with blood. Her own blood. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as the world tilted around her. Then she felt the arms. These arms were strong. They were protective and familiar. Zayne. She tilted her head weakly and her gaze met his. His usually unreadable expression was filled with anger and concern. His hands trembled as they caressed her blood-matted hair, brushing it from her sticky forehead. His eyes were wide and burning as if he hadn’t blinked since finding her. “Eva,” he choked out. “Eva—goddess, you’re awake.” She tried to sit up, but she felt a sharp pain by her side. She gasped in fear. Her body froze instantly. Zayne reacted immediately, holding her tighter. “Don’t move. You’re hurt.” “I—” she started to speak, but her throat felt like sandpaper