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“That’s more like it. Now hold still while we have some fun,” he says as he fumbles with his trousers.
I try to reach for my shadows again, but my mind is too hazy to get to them. It feels as if I’m crawling toward the well, my fingers digging into the ground, as my power screams to be unleashed. If I could just make it, all this would be over.
My mind races as I watch a smile spread across the man’s face. It’s as if I’m watching what’s happening from outside my body.Asher, I need to summon Asher. But my shadows are trapped, severing our connection. I scream without a sound.
In an instant, dim light fills my vision and relief floods my mind as the man is pulled off of me. I see Nyx tackling the man, slamming him into the stone path. They fight for control. Nyx’s fists collide with the man’s face as he overpowers him. He doesn’t relent. Blow after blow, Nyx punches the man’s face and the sound of his bones cracking splinters the air.
Long moments pass as I listen to Nyx unleashing his anger on this monster. My shadows stir and climb up their well. I throw off the lid, giving them what they want. They gain strength as they go until they burst from me in a tidal wave of darkness, devouring the light. They crawl along the path toward the man. With a light touch, my shadows pry Nyx from the man, setting him softly to the side.
The man swings at the dark mist climbing over his body. My shadows wrap around him, binding his legs and arms. Darkness digs into the man’s skin, ripping and tearing it apart. A long, black tendril coils around his mouth, muffling his screams.
The fury within me rises. This man tried to violate me.
I’m going to make him pay. This one’s for me—no need for Asher.This, I want to do myself. This, I will enjoy.
I unleash my fury and feel my shadows break every one of his bones. His ribs fracture, puncturing his lungs. His breaths come in ragged, pained shudders as the darkness continues its punishment.
I push my darkness harder into him for all the women he’s hurt and violated. For what he did to me. A rich, unfamiliar voice hisses in my mind, “Justice.”
As his last breath leaves his body and his heart stops, my shadows recoil and vanish into my skin. This time, I don’t close the lid.
Never again.
Nyx grabs me as I try to stand, but my head spins. He holds me up as I wobble on my feet. Marcus comes into view, grasping Silas firmly by his waist, allowing him to drape an arm over Marcus’ shoulders. They are both bloody and bruised.
I look up at Nyx to assess his injuries. A smear of blood streaks his face. His cheek shows some faint redness, but overall, he’s the least injured.
Nyx’s gray eyes snap to mine, sheer panic darkens them. His jaw ticks as he looks me over.
“What happened?” he asks with barely contained emotions. I can feel mine rising in response.
“Caught off guard. The other guy?” My voice is weak and raspy. It hurts to get words out.
“Dead,” Nyx’s words are flat and final. I nod, but pain shoots from the top of my head to the middle of my back, causing me to yelp.
“Give me your adveho ring so I can get us home,” Nyx demands. There’s a tremor in his voice only I can sense.
“I’m fine. I can do it,” I say, using him for support to stand up. I fall back into him as the village whirls. Something warm and wet trickles down my neck. I rub my hand along the spot, only to pull back and see bright-red blood coating it.
Nyx’s breath catches. “Lily ...” His voice becomes distant as my head grows fuzzier and my knees collapse. Nyx catches me and pulls me to him.
“Lily!” His frantic calling of my name follows as darkness consumes me.
Chapter 18
