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Because the monster, shrieking in triumph, was closing in fast, talons extended. Ready to deal out an early death. The figure loomed larger the closer it got to the ground. And God, the thing was fucking huge! Just before it struck, Micah rolled to the side, grunting in pain.
The creature struck the ground instead of his body, and trumpeted in outrage. Sweat popped out on Micah’s brow as he tried to drag himself to put the tree between him and his attacker, but several broken bones and torn ligaments slowed his progress. White-hot knives tore through his thigh, and he was dragged backward.
His fingers scrabbled in the grass and dirt as he desperately tried to find something to hold on to. Or a limb to jab at the monster. No, he needed to shift. To fight in his wolf form. But the precious seconds he needed to complete the shift were lost to him as the creature sank its talons into the vulnerable flesh of his torso, tearing at him.
Screaming, Micah grabbed frantically at the tough hide of the monster’s talons. Tried to pry them lose. He might as well have tried to break free of bands of solid iron, big and strong as they were. Writhing, Micah gazed up at his captor in horror.
The monster was everything Tristan Cade had described. Even worse. Whoever this thing was in human form was nowhere in evidence now. What once had been a majestic bird of some sort was mutated and twisted almost beyond recognition. The feathers, though brown and muddy, might once have belonged to a golden eagle. The resemblance to that beautiful bird ended there.
The creature screeched, hatred in its red eyes, and struck. Agony ripped through Micah’s shoulder, and he screamed again. And again as it struck his chest, then his stomach, its jagged beak tearing. Rending flesh.
The monster was taking him apart. Piece by piece. Making him suffer as Micah had once made him suffer.
Perhaps he deserved this, after all.
As the creature’s claws sank deeper, he thought he heard a familiar noise. Then he turned his head and saw the sweep of headlights coming on fast. Several vehicles.
Nick. The Pack. It had to be, out here in the middle
of nowhere, so close to the compound. He could’ve wept, if he’d had the strength. Hurry.
The monster, however, wasn’t so pleased. With an angry cry, it launched into the air—without letting go of its prey. Micah’s broken body was lifted into the sky, a piece of meat to be devoured by the one who’d carry out his vengeance.
“Oh, God . . .”
Head dangling, he watched the ground fall away. Saw the vehicles skid to a halt, his brothers pouring from inside. Weapons were drawn, and a series of pop, pop, pop’s ensued. The creature dipped, but then continued to rise.
Far below, a man with red hair raised his hands and took aim. Aric.
When the column of flame spiraled upward, Micah closed his eyes. He knew the instant the fire hit the creature. It screeched, its talons opening in reflex, ripping from Micah’s body.
And he fell.
Jacee. Please believe in me. Love you.
Wind whipping through his hair, the darkness enveloped him, and he welcomed it.
* * *
The scene that greeted Nick and his men was like something out of a horror movie. And not something he’d be able to erase from his brain as long as he lived.
Aric was at the wheel of the lead Escalade, Nick riding shotgun. Everyone was tense, anxious. Then the vehicle rounded the bend, and they spotted the trail of wreckage from the bike. And off to the opposite side, by a stand of trees, a monster of a creature, wings expanded to their full width, its prey pinned underneath enormous talons. The beast was striking Micah again and again, determined to tear him apart.
“Motherfucker!” Aric yelled. He gunned the SUV, and it leapt forward, closing the distance.
The beast was finally alerted to their presence and took to the sky, but it didn’t turn Micah loose. Nick could only watch as the younger man dangled limp in the monster’s grasp, and pray he wasn’t already dead.
Aric brought the Escalade to a stop, and they jumped out, weapons blasting. The bird faltered but didn’t stop, and Aric raised his hands.
“Don’t hit Micah!” Nick shouted.
“I won’t!”
Fire shot from Aric’s hands and whirled into the sky, seeking its target. Higher and higher until the flames blasted the creature, and it let out a terrible shriek—and dropped its prey. Micah fell, tumbling toward the ground at dizzying speed.
“Kalen,” Nick yelled.
But the Sorcerer was already on the job, sending out a spell to stop Micah’s plunge and bring him toward where they were parked. As Micah floated toward him, Nick’s heart sank. The young wolf was a torn, bloodied mess, clothing hanging from his body in ribbons and wide gashes visible in his flesh.
