The elixirs began to smoke and sizzle, causing barks of pain to echo through the air. Angry red splotches began to form along the feet of the great beast. Whatever was in those vials caused its skin to melt away with sickening, wet sounds. The aroma of burning flesh filled the air, and I fought a gag.
Lachlan looked up, his expression growing dark as he noticed the pure joy on Arabella’s face. I was so fucking proud of her for standing up to him, for having the courage to not hide away and instead fight.
I rushed forward, sliding under the beast and running my blade along the irritated skin. Black blood poured out, putrid and acidic, eating away at the cobblestones beneath it, cracking the well-kept roads.
“What the fuck?” I muttered, temporarily taken aback.
The creature lunged, rearing up and knocking me down. I landed on my ass, the impact radiating up my spine uncomfortably. Their long claws swiped out as they came back down, barely missing as I rolled out of the way. I heard the thud of boots hitting ground and knew Lachlan had dismounted the beast, but I was too preoccupied with saving my own ass to go after him.
“Who’s a good beastie?” I crooned, raising my hands in the air. The beast snorted, stomping its feet like a petulant child. “Obviously not you,” I muttered.
Its eyes widened, nostrils flaring as it charged at me full force. If its horns impaled any part of my body, I would be done for. But suddenly, several more glass vials landed in front of the beast. It had no time to stop itself as it became coated in the potent mixture they’d created.
While I knew this animal had intended harm, the screams leaving its mouth were painful. It collapsed in front of me, kicking wildly. The concoction stripped away its fur, leaving matted, rotten patches along its back.
I drew my sword, slicing quickly and ending its suffering. I might have been ruthless, but I wasn’t heartless. This beast was created to hunt and kill. It’d only known malice and death.
A shrill scream had me looking up toward the palace where Luka and Ciena were fighting off two men in black on the balcony. Arabella stood back, torn between continuing to assist me from above or her friends next to her.
How the fuck had they gotten up there?
And then, with horror, I realized that they must have rushed past us while we were ushering people into the palace. No one had noticed them as they slipped past because they hadn’t lingered. They knew exactly where to go and went there without hesitation. But who were they after? Arabella? Ciena? Luka?
The only logical answer was Arabella. Given Lachlan’s obsession with her, he must not have been happy when she’d abandoned him. He was far too prideful to let such a blow stand.
I scanned the troops before me, spotting him at the forefront of the battle. Blood flowed down his blade from the dead men at his feet. “Give it up, Lachlan,” I said, approaching slowly. My sword was drawn at the ready. Each step I took closer sent my heart thundering.
Renai stood on the other side of him, members of The Horde littered around her. Death was a promise in her gaze, and Lachlan met her stare with utter confidence. The two would be a fearsome match, but I didn’t want him to have anything to do with her.
“Hey! Eyes on me, fucker.”
He turned and stared at me over his shoulder with a wicked smile. There was blood splattered across his face and chin, the force of his blows showcasing his vicious nature. He said absolutely nothing, but a glint in his eyes made me uneasy.
I heard the struggles from above, but didn’t dare take my gaze from the man in front of me. The moment I did, I knew it would likely be my last. But then, two startled yelps clashed against each other in the air, and my heart dropped.
I adjusted my gaze a fraction to the left and saw Renai in the grip of two men. Both were bleeding, their blood still coating her fallen sword. Their grip tightened as she bucked wildly in their hold, even as they drew a blade and held it to her throat.
A shadow swooped from above, slamming hard into the streets below. The creature looked just like the one I’d killed, and I realized I was foolish for assuming there would only be one. That Lachlan would be too proud to allow anyone else to have it.
A man jumped down from the beast holding a wriggling figure over his shoulder. His other arm looked to be bandaged, blood soaking through the fabric. He stepped into the sunlight, an angry purple scar running down his face.
Fucking Murick.
An array of wild black hair caught my eye, and I froze, heart plummeting at Arabella’s fighting form. She kicked and hit, all to no avail. It wouldn’t matter with a man like him; even I would have difficulty in hand-to-hand combat if I was going up against that brute.
As if Murick read my thoughts, he crooked a horrible smile before dropping Arabella to her feet and holding a blade to her throat.
“It would appear you have landed yourself in a bit of a predicament, General,” Lachlan said, putting his hands behind his back. “And now, it will come back to haunt you.”
I was caught in my worst nightmare. There would be no good outcome in this scenario. I could only pray someone could get to us in time before I had to choose.
Chapter41
Eva
The power coursing through my veins was unlike anything I had ever felt. It was new, raw, and unbelievably powerful. But most of all?
It craved vengeance.
