Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 57 – Delegation

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.“– Suzy Kassem

Neron

I don’t know where I am, or how I got here.

All I know is that something terrible has happened.

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01:47

A throbbing pain in my chest wouldn’t leave. It sat, recklessly pulsating against my wishes. I’ve tried rubbing the area to case the discomfort, but it only made it worse. The only thing I could do is try to ignore it as I try to figure out where I am. Easier said than done, so it seems.

Is this a dream? My steps echoed as I walked through the infinite void of white. The blinding light betrayed the reckless chill, goosebumps littering across my exposed flesh. Could this be a sign of things to come, or am I looking too much into it?

Then, I remembered what Onyx said before I passed out. He believes something happened to Kiya. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, like it ripped my heart from my chest. It was the only sign I’ve received from my mate’s condition, and it wasn’t good. At all.

This is where the panic sets in. What happened to Kiya?

Suddenly, a second pair of footsteps appeared, seizing my attention. Faint sniffles followed. I ran toward the source of the sadness. My distressed heart was eager to alleviate whoever it was. Confusion settled in; why am I doing this? It seemed futile, but I couldn’t stop. Something was telling me not to. As I drew closer, the thoughts of Kiya grew in power. She was all I could think about; her smile, her laughter, her fearlessness–everything that made her perfect..

“I’m sorry…”

The memories faded to dust. I skidded to a stop, eyes widening. That voice. I’ll always recognize that voice, even if it’s just a whisper in the wind.

“I just wanted the pain to stop…”

The white void misted and cleared to a scene that crushed my heart. It was Kiya, on her knees with her hands covering her face. Tears slipped from her fingers, raining on the ground like a storm. Her whimpers were soft, her body curled into a small ball to hide from the world. I couldn’t stand the sight of my mate sad. I wanted to take away her sadness; to reach out to wipe her tears away. To tell her everything will be okay.

But what did she mean by ‘wanting the pain to stop?

“Love?” I took a step forward, worried. My fingers ached to touch her face. Startled, her head shot up from her palms, revealing puffy eyes and a tear–stained face. Brown eyes glistened with fear, Kiya retreated on her rear, scurrying away from me.

“No! Stay back!” She yelled. “Leave! I’m too dangerous!”

“What do you mean, Kiya?” I continue to advance, motivated by my concern. “Please, let me help you.”

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“No one can help me!” Frantically wiping her tears, she rose on her feet, staring me down. “You don’t know you’re getting into, Neron. If you know what’s best for you, you’d leave and forget about me!”

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and will help you, even if you’ll hate me for it. Leaving you like this is not an option; I care about you.”

“What made

She hugged her elbows and darted her eyes around as if she

my mate. Blank stare, rigid movements, monotonous voice–she lost the will to fight. I had many questions, and this was my only chance to get answers, по matter how wild this dream is. “What did Osiris

faltered, but she quickly recovered. “A lot. None of which I can explain.” Sighing, her eyes drifted close. “I’m no longer the Kiya you know, Neron. I don’t think I’ll ever be again.”

z an

of the hole was a

taking my mate away from

grasped Kiya’s arms and yanked her body to me, arms around her upper frame. It turned into a game of tug–o–war with my mate as the rope, both sides fighting for the

let her go. Her whimpers and yells of pain were all I could hear. I wanted them to stop because she was in pain, but I’d risk

over the swirling darkness. Into the light is where Kiya belonged, not in a pit of black. Losing footing, the snake tail

Until it wasn’t.

to the rest of my body. Sadistic, the agony seized control of my muscles, infusing in every fiber to render me helpless. I fought against it, but it became tougher to breathe. My vision blurred, sending a pounding, rhythmic headache straight into my skull.

“NERON!”

beeping from the heart monitor bombarded my eardrums when I shot up from the hospital bed, sweat clinging onto my clothes. How the hell did I get here?

my ears, urging me to rest. My eyes found my Betas and

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in your room. We couldn’t wake you

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01:41

to throw me overboard in its watery prison. Kiya’s screaming felt so real–the dream felt real. My hands ached from her touch, desperate for her warmth, but

“I can’t feel the mate bond…”

Goddess, please

an impervious wall. Unable to feel her on the other side. Unable to feel the rest of the bond. My side was like a flickering wire, helplessly jumping for its other part

no longer

Was this the pain I gave her five years ago?

danced with my guilt, punishing me worse than my father ever could. A normal person would cry in their bed as they struggle, but I couldn’t. I felt numb. Nothing felt real to me, anymore. I glue my eyes to my lap, ruminating over what transpired in the past several days. I’m losing everything left and right; trust, my sanity, my father–and

finally caught up to me.

be what she meant? Maybe it was her way of saying she rejected our bond. Osiris has her. Kiya said, in the dream, that he’s done something to her. I don’t know if the dream was just a dream or a strange premonition, but I trust in what she says. If Kiya rejected me, there is no way in hell she’d chose Osiris as her second chance.

to rip his head from his

y voice flat

Anthony, Kwame?” I

called earlier.” He nodded, dreadlocks bouncing lightly. “The bad news is Phoebe’s location ritual failed. She couldn’t find her, even with the aid of other witches. The good news is she isn’t giving up and Alpha Anthony and Luna Alesia

we do, Osiris is five steps ahead of us. He planned this to the smallest detail and we’reping at straws. I feel like I’m about to lose my mind with all these different, contradicting emotions at war. And misery is

the Kiya you know, Neron. I don’t think I’ll

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but it is better than nothing. Better than not having her with

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isn’t an option, Neron. Things are becoming crazier by the day, but we can’t expect a miracle to happen.” Onyx’s strained voice betrayed the confidence in his words. But he doesn’t relent. He is feeling the brunt of this recent development as much as I am, yet he stands strong. “Since Garnet Moon is doing what they can to search for Kiya, we must match their level.

kidding. Every single day is a struggle unlike any other, Onyx. To be a

it right.”