I needed to be strong. 
I needed to fix whatever happened. 
"Yes, I do, and I am not strong enough to break the door down. Whatever happened while we were unconscious is draining my very essence. You need to leave, and please find Xavia. Use my vision, show her what happened, try anything, please..." I said through our mind-link, begging him, "She's rejecting my love, and our mate bond is dwindling by the second." 
His eyes widened. 
"I sense Aubrey is near when she opens the door, go, and stop at nothing. Give me as much time as you can so I can reach Xavia and get through to her," I said to him, earning a swift nod in return. 
"I promise, Grace." 
Not a minute later, the freezer door opened, and Aubrey stood there shocked, looking at me with an expression I had never seen her hold before. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Raziel slither away in his snake form, hiding in the shadows, and it reminded me of my mate. The thought of Xavia caused my heart to ache more because of the suffering she was undergoing. 
I slowly stood up and got to my feet, asking my friend, "What's wrong, Rey? Why do you have that look on your face? What happened?" 
Aubrey's face showed nothing but pure anger as she replied, "You have some nerve, Grace. And to think I trusted you and let you into my home. Whatever friendship we had is over." 
What...? 
Her words cut deep, but I was determined to prove that whatever happened wasn't my doing. 
There is something sinister afoot. 
"Rey, where's Xavia?" I asked, needing to find out what happened, and I hoped she might know where my mate was. 
"Oh, like you suddenly care now? Don't tell me you forgot about slapping her across the face just because she went to grab your hand. I'm fucking appalled." 
No, I would never... 
Wait... 
Aubrey saw me do this? But I didn't. That person must have some powers to turn into look-alikes or something. Oh God, if Xavia really thought I felt that way... I understand now... 
Fuck... 
This is really bad. 
"Of course I care, Aubrey. I love Xavia more than anything. I would never raise my hand to her." I reasoned with my friend. 
Her reply was quick, "Well, you must have had a good drink and forgot because you did. You should have seen her face." 
God, no. 
This can't be happening. 
No wonder why I can't get through to my love. 
"I love her, Rey." I pressed, but I could tell that Aubrey didn't believe me or trust anything I was saying to her... 
I won't give up. 
"You could have fooled me. You broke her heart, Grace. I've never seen Xavia look so... dead..." Aubrey said as her voice lowered and her eyes filled with tears. She remembered the look that befell my mate's face quite literally. 
My heart was shattering. 
I kept on and said, "I would never break her heart. She's my lifeline. I am hers." 
"Well, then... I guess death is your penance," Rey stated and turned to walk away from me, but... 
I had to repair whatever harm had been done. 
With that, I used what physical energy I had left, sped to reach her, and held my friend as tightly as I could, given my state. Then, I said, "Please, let me explain. Something has happened, and I don't know who looked like me, but it wasn't me. You know me, Rey." She fought against my hold and was winning; my strength was failing me. 
I needed aid, and so I spread my wings and wrapped them around her, cocooning her in place. I leaned my head against hers, closed my eyes, and showed her everything that had happened, starting with us arriving at the cafe and the vision I had. 
When I was done, Aubrey hugged me tightly. 
However, she unknowingly hurt me, and I grunted in response. My friend pulled back, concern lacing her words, "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" 
"Just my heart, Rey... Just my heart." 
Rey didn't understand; I could see that as plain as day. Her expressions had always been straightforward to read.  
My legs began to wobble just by standing, and Aubrey noticed, so she helped me find a seat while I explained everything in more detail, "I guess it's the best time for me to explain our mate bond further. We're stronger together, and if we're apart, we long for our other soul to be near, to complete us. Every soul has the option to accept or reject their mate. However, once the bond is accepted and something pulls another's half away, like what's happening now, the mate feels it. But Xavia and I are special, so I believe we can literally feel the pain of the other. I sure am. It's affecting me, draining my energy. All I know is that the only thing that can truly kill us is each other. And... by the looks of it, I only have a few hours left." 
Aubrey looked stricken, understandably so, and said, "So, in your case, not being with Xavia is killing you." 
"Simply put, yes. We've accepted our bond. To reject it after... it's killing my soul." 
"Even though you haven't had sex yet?" She asked, looking slightly confused.  
I couldn't help but smile, knowing that she would focus on that part, but how could she know? 
"For beings such as ourselves, intimacy is an added bonus, and yes," I answered. 
"Xavia mentioned she was going home and that maybe you needed space from her. She still might be at the apartment." Aubrey asked, "What can I do, Gracie?" 
"Go home and see if she's there. Try to convince her to come to me here. I don't have enough energy and must conserve what I have left," I responded. 
Rey carefully hugged me and said, "I'll do my best, and I am sorry I was so..." I cut her off. 
"I promise it's okay." 
With a nod, she ran out of the restaurant. 
I watched her leave, and the weight of the situation settled heavily on me. I attempted again to reach out to Xavia in my mind, but there was no answer. 
In a soft whisper, I said aloud, "Xavia, I love you. Please don't give up." 
I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears, but I couldn't. 
My worry gnawed at me—Xavia might do something rash, and I really hoped beyond anything that she wouldn't. I had to find her. I tried our telepathic link again and again, but... Xavia was too far gone with grief. Even if she could hear me, she wouldn't believe it was truly me. 
The exhaustion was overwhelming. 
I nodded off, waiting, hoping.