The Compass Read Online Free Page B

by continuing, he could be leading goddess knew what back to him—to Cian. However, the cries of the woman pulled at his heart, and he found that he couldn’t leave without helping her. He felt Cian’s displeasure, but again, he ignored him. With his energy draining, Finn moved quickly, pushed harder. His speed and persistence alerted the woman, and he felt her energy surround her in defence.
    Who are you—you shouldn’t be here.
    All of his training, all of the battles he had faced, had not prepared him for the effect her voice had on him. Husky and soft, her words wrapped around him and squeezed. Emotions rose up within him, elation, contentment, possessiveness; they swirled through him, spilling along the pathway to the woman. He felt her shrink back from him. He scrambled to waylay her retreat. He added hint of compulsion in his voice, urging her to trust him. I won’t hurt you, allow me to help you.
    The pathway was rapidly crumbling now. Finn regrouped and tried to keep it open. The sadness of the woman weighed his heart down. As she faded, she thanked him for his offer. Thank you, but the medicine has kicked in. Soon, I will fall asleep. You’re just a dream, just like the woman.
    Finn struggled to close the distance, he wasn’t finished. His head exploded in pain, ripping a shout from him—he heard the echoing response from the woman.
    Please, leave me alone—I’m done with crazy.
    Like the beach at high tide, waves of fog washed away the connection. Finn shouted in his mind, demanding that it stay open, that she stay. His demands went unheeded, nothing but silence now filled his head. Opening his eyes, Finn was surprised to find himself drenched in sweat. His breathing was rapid and his head felt light; a buzzing sounded in his ears. Slicking back his hair, he tried to make sense of it. What the hell just happened? The air snapped with energy, turning around, he came face to face with his cousin.
    “Looks like you found a Fragment—or should I say, she found you?” Cian, with a drink in his hand, and his eyes—the same brown as his own—dancing with mirth, toasted him. “And from your reaction, I’d say she’s yours. Now all we need to do is find her before Mikel does.”
     
    *****
     
    Ali fought through the fog, fear driving her to the surface of consciousness. Gasping for breath, she jackknifed up; her eyes flew open to discover she was in the dark. Panic seized her until she realized that she was in her room, in the almost dark. Her chest felt like there was a weight on it and she rubbed it to ease the discomfort, at the same time, she tried to slow down her heart, and breathing. A shiver ran through her as she pulled the twisted blankets around her shoulders, biting back the sob that crowded in her mouth.
    Someone—a man, had found her, in that in-between time of wakefulness and unconsciousness. The discovery had been so shocking that she had spoken to him, telling him he shouldn’t have been there. Her body trembled as the memory rushed back. His voice had carried strength despite his surprise. The sound of it had cloaked around her, and for a brief moment, she had felt—safe.
    He had offered to help her; she had felt his concern for her. When the medication began to drag her down, she felt him fight against it. She had felt his pain, the struggle to keep connected to her. The last thing she remembered was hearing his shouts of rejection, the demands that she stay with him. A vision of an intimidating warrior, his body honed by years of battle and sword wielding, wavered in front of her. His eyes were direct and fierce, his hair fell wildly to his shoulders—then he faded away.
    The dream came then. She saw a battle that lead into a full blown war. A woman, powerful; fought a master of darkness. There was so much destruction and people living in fear. She saw places that reminded her of quaint villages, their thatched roofs made her think of Europe. Then she saw isolated places where snow