DASH
As if she could read my mind and knew exactly what I needed, Elyse slipped her hand through the silver bars.
I reached for her immediately, clasping her soft, warm palm in mine. With my other hand, I shielded hers from brushing the wolfsbane-doused door.
It hurt like hell. The metal burned against my skin, pain shooting through me in sharp bursts.
I endured it. Her hand, her presence—it was worth every second of agony.
"Don't be afraid, okay?" she said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
More warmth seeped into me from where we touched. I swallowed hard, holding her gaze.
"I'll do better next time," I vowed. "And I promise I won't ever hurt you again."
Eli snickered softly in my head. "Don't make promises you can't keep."
Elyse's face softened into a small smile. "I'll hold you to that."
I nodded, still clinging to her hand. For a few precious seconds, we stayed like that. I soaked up the feeling she gave me. I didn't want to let go.
But Kol was here.
