章節 244: CHAPTER 244 Reaching Out

　　~ CASIMIR ~

　　It was an hour or more after Maya had fallen asleep before I dozed off. But my sleep was uneasy. Tense. I couldn't get comfortable in that pathetic cot, and kept half-waking, shifting my body to change position and try and release myself from the sensation that there was a great weight pressing down on me.

　　But then, just as I'd sunk deeply into sleep for the first time…

　　'CAZZ!'

　　I shuddered awake and sat bolt upright.

　　The scream was so loud, so present, for a moment I was certain Jesse had returned and was in the room. I came awake with such a jolt, my entire body quivered and my chest heaved. I was on my feet and ready to shift, turning, looking, searching… but she wasn't there. And then when I reached for her through the bond… there was nothing.

　　Because she was too far away?

　　Or had shut me out?

　　Or was dead?