Chapter 43 : : : : : I Found Ember

*Alec*

I jolted awake, my entire body pulsating with an intense pain that seemed to burn through my veins. Every breath felt like I was breathing burning liquid. It felt like someone had poured fire into my veins. I twisted in bed, trying to throw off the sheets, and realized that Ember’s side of my bed was empty and cold.

The haze of sleep and agony parted in my mind as my heart started to race. How long had she been gone? Where had she gone?

“Ember?” I called, hoping that she had just gone to the bathroom, yet I heard nothing. Her scent lingered in the air, but it was fading too. She had been gone for longer than just a few minutes. Hours maybe.

“Rhys!” I called, groaning as I rolled out of bed. My legs buckled, taking me to the ground as the pain pulsed and intensified. My ears were ringing. Everything started to go in and out as if I had suffered a head injury. I heard Ember’s voice, panicked and frightened, but I couldn’t make out her words. I saw flashes of the moon and