ZAYLA

"Angel," his voice came again, cracking right down the middle, sharp and deadly. He sank to his knees with me clutched against him, like he couldn't stand either. 

My throat was on fire, scorching hot. My heart was pounding, trying to claw its way out of my ribcage. Everything was too much.

"Zane..." I choked between sobs, barely able to breathe. 

His arms closed around me immediately, pressing me into his chest. Then he pulled away a bit, to cup my cheeks with both hands, his gun forgotten on the floor. 

"Look at me, Angel. Breathe with me. In... out... Again. I've got you. I've got you."

I tried,...