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Shock scoffs. “More like the devil on my shoulder.”
“Call me names all you like, but you’ve been summoned.” Rhea’s grin widens. “My friends will escort you.”
On the surface, I’d say she won the encounter…but Shock seems almost pleased with this turn of events. “Thanks, but I’m a big boy. And since you rarely make it out of Mathias’s bed, I know the way far better.”
“Is that supposed to be an insult? It’s an honor to serve him. Fair warning: when you arrive, be prepared to explain why you’re here with these…people.” Rhea’s gaze sweeps over us as if we’re lower life forms. “I’ll stay behind and take out the trash.”
“Or we can take you hostage,” Bram quips.
“And torture you,” I growl. I haven’t forgotten or forgiven the bitch.
“I wouldn’t recommend trying. I’m hardly alone.” She steps aside, revealing a score of robed wizards waiting just outside the door. “These Anarki are older and stronger than the last you encountered.”
Caden rubs his hands together. “Mopping them up sounds like fun to me.”
“Aye,” Marrok seconds. “’Tis a good time to spill blood.”
“Stand down.” Shock bares his teeth at Bram, then grabs Rhea’s arm. “Leave her to me.”
“Get your bloody hands off me.” The witch tugs free and stands, hands on hips, like a warrior wearing full armor rather than transparent knickers. “The brilliant tactician Bram Rion outwitted. How delicious.” Then she glances Ice’s way. “Mathias is very much looking forward to seeing you soon, Mr. Rykard. He’d like to extend you the same courtesies he did your dear departed sister.”
Ice unfreezes from his watchful position, charging her like an angry, mauling bear.
Bram yanks on the back of Ice’s shirt, stopping him with an arched golden brow. “I make it a point never to pick on those I can squash without so much as lifting my wand. Do the same.”
Rykard curses under his breath, every line in his body taut with menace.
I stare back and forth. Does Bram actually intend to let the evil witch go?
“She’s not as helpless as you think. She?—”
“Stand down,” Bram insists.
After she nearly killed Kari? Hell no.
Rhea’s eyes narrow. “Are the Doomsday Brethren too afraid of a mere witch to fight?”
“Too smart to expend the energy,” Caden tosses back.
Duke laughs when Rhea’s cheeks flood with red fury. I don’t like that expression… She’s furious and unhinged—a dangerous combination.
As much as I want to squash her, I need to remove Kari from potential harm. I can’t let anything happen to her.
When I grab Kari’s wrist to teleport her elsewhere, she tugs free with an adamant shake of her head. “Stop.”
“I will not lose you.”
“Lose her? You’re all going to die.” Rhea lifts her wand. “And Mathias will adore me for it.”
Seconds later, she flicks her wrist, and the Anarki begin charging.
In seconds, it’s terrifyingly obvious the Doomsday Brethren are severely outnumbered.
Though I’m not battle-trained, I throw myself into the fight. It may be the only way to keep my beautiful—but very human—mate alive. Still, our eight against their opposing horde is likely to be a slaughter.
What will become of Kari if we fall?
Magical trails blaze through the semidark room. I duck to evade an oncoming spell and pull Kari down with me as I shoot back a paralyzing spell at the robed figure barreling down on us. It bounces off, as if the creature somehow repels magic. It emanates a blast of cold while peeling back its warped mouth, revealing skeletal gums in a menacing smile.
