Chapter 27: Depression

                                    

                                          
*Grace's POV*
I awoke with a start, my body aching and my mind foggy. 
An instant wave of dread and depression filled me. It was so intense—it was as if I could feel Xavia's pain coursing through my veins. My heart felt broken, a deep ache that made it hard to breathe. It was an unbearable, slow, and torturous sensation that felt like I was being torn in half. Every breath was a struggle; each inhale was sharp and shallow. 
Like an invisible vice was squeezing my lungs.  
The bond I shared with Xavia, once a source of strength and comfort, now felt like it was ripping my soul apart. Being without her was killing me, and the agony was so profound—I knew if we couldn't fix what had happened, I wouldn't survive. The connection between us was so deep, so intertwined with my very being, that the mere thought of losing her was enough to send waves of anguish crashing over me.  
My already shattered heart seemed to break further with each passing moment. The despair was suffocating—a dark cloud wrapped around me, threatening to smother any remaining hope I could muster. Without Xavia, my mate, and my other half, I felt like a hollow shell, and the emptiness consumed me from the inside out. 
Though slow, I took a few breaths to center myself as best as possible.  
As my surroundings came into focus, I realized I was in the cafe's freezer, lying on the cold floor. Memories of what had happened began to return to me. A silhouetted person had ambushed me, their face a blur in my mind. I had tried to fight back. I landed a few hits, but... they were quick—too quick. 
I remembered the prick of a needle and the world going dark as the drug took hold, giving the person the upper hand. 
"Xavia," I muttered weakly, the name escaping my lips like a prayer, "Oh, love. I don't know what happened, but I will be there. I'll help you, or I'll die trying." 
My hands fumbled in the darkness until I found the light switch. As the harsh, bright light filled the room, I saw Raziel, in his dog form, unconscious and sprawled out on the floor. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I crawled over to him, checking for a pulse. 
It was there, steady but faint.  
Thank goodness... 
Relief washed over me, but the urgency of our situation quickly replaced it. We needed to get out of here. I needed to find Xavia and make things right. The bond we shared might be damaged, but it wasn't entirely broken. 
Not yet, anyway... 
"Raziel, wake up," I whispered, gently shaking him, adding, "We need to get out of here. Xavia needs us." 
As I sat there, waiting for him to regain consciousness, I couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of despair. It wasn't just mine—it was Xavia's. 
And it was breaking my heart.  
I shouted for Aubrey a few times, but silence remained. 
So, I focused on waking Raziel. 
When Xavia's shapeshifter came to, he jumped up with haste, looking around, sensing the disarray. When his eyes found mine, he said, "What happened? Why are we here?" 
"I'll show you," I told him verbally. 
Raziel came to me, shifted into his Monkey form, and put his head against mine. I allowed everything from my vision and what happened to me to transfer into his mind. 
Seconds later, he looked at me and said, "Xavia's not okay, you can feel it, can't you? Feel her and what she's going through?" 
I nodded, trying to hold back the tears.