Page 104 of Marked By His Hunger
If she woke now, saw my DeathFace fully unfurled—would she scream?
Would she recoil?
Would she look at me the way the others do?
Then again—she had not run when lightning illuminated me on the cliff.
She had not fled when she saw horns and wings and darkness carved into bone.
She had fought beside me.
A low rumble built in my chest at the memory.
I understood now why she fainted. She’d used her magic.
Serena had commanded a spirit.
For me.
She stirred now.
My Unnasta.
A soft moan slipped from her lips.
I was beside her instantly, nearly knocking Nurse Everly aside.
“Is she alright?” I demanded.
The nurse cleared her throat stiffly.
“Physically, yes. Magical depletion. Severe energy discharge. She needs rest. Professor Kenna has been notified.”
Professor Kenna.
But of course she’d been notified.
The head of the Institute would have felt the surge Serena unleashed. Necromantic command of that magnitude did not pass unnoticed.
“Fuck,” I growled.
Serena’s lashes fluttered.
“Raven?” she murmured.
The sound of my name in her mouth—it unraveled something inside me.
“I am here, Unnasta,” I said quietly, stepping closer without conscious decision.
Nurse Everly shot me a look but scribbled in her chart and retreated toward the door.
“Press the rune-button if you need anything,” she instructed Serena, though her pointed glare was directed at me.
I peeled my lip back slightly—not fully snarling, but enough.
She swallowed and exited.
Good.
