Lifting my head, I focused on three men closing in on us as Callan stepped away from the door.
“She had nothing to do with this,” he said. “I took her. I dragged her down here with me.”
“We saw her stab Helfrich,” one of them said.
Well, I couldn’t deny that. I hadn’t been a part of this rebellion, but I certainly hadn’t been against it, and even if I could, I wouldn’t walk away and leave Callan behind.
“I did,” I confirmed, “and he fucking deserved it.”
“Ellery,” Callan hissed.
I shot him a look before focusing on the scowling guards creeping toward us. Shifting my hold on my sword, I adjusted my stance while preparing for their attack.
I didn’t see us getting out of here with it being three against two, but I would take at least one of them down with me. Callan edged closer and a little in front of me as he lifted his sword.
While I appreciated that he was trying to protect me, I probably had far more training than him when it came to swords and fighting. I moved forward so we were shoulder to shoulder in the small corridor.
One of the guards grinned as he raised his sword. His muscles tensed as he braced to run, but before he could spring, agrunt escaped, his mouth formed an O, and blood dripped from beneath the chain mail protecting his chest.
His stunned gaze remained on us for a few seconds before he crumpled to the ground. When the other two guards looked at him, their heads bashed together, and their skulls caved in with a sickening crunch.
When the guards fell, they revealed Ryker standing behind them, his eyes full of lightning and blood dripping from his hand. His shoulders heaved, and the first guard’s heart lay at his feet.
Everyinch of him looked like an avenging God ready to strike down all who dared to disobey them. And this God was prepared to unleash Hell.
If I didn’t know he was here for me, the vision of him would have caused me to piss myself. Even knowing that, my feet remained planted while his gaze raked me.
When his eyes lingered on the bruises on my face, my torn dress, and the injuries I’d sustained above and below, a snarl curved his lips. I hadn’t considered it possible, but his muscles swelled in size.
“Holy shit,” Callan breathed.
I wondered if he had pissed himself and wouldn’t blame him if he did, but while Ryker’s fury was terrifying, I craved holding him. My sword clattered to the ground as it fell from my limp fingers.
With a cry, I raced toward him. He caught and lifted me as I flung my arms around his neck and encircled his waist with my legs.
The vibration in his muscles eased a little as his arms enveloped me, and his hand cradled my head. Though he held me close, he remained tensed, and I had no doubt he’d kill anyone who tried to touch me.
Being in his arms again helped ease some of my misery, and I nearly burst into tears. But I couldn’t fall apart yet; we were still trapped here, and more guards could be coming.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Ryker
I loathedthe tremble in Ellery as I held her against me. She dug her fingers into my nape and buried her face in my shoulder. I didn’t feel the wetness of tears, but I sensed her sorrow.
I wanted to carry her far from here, but I didn’t move. My eyes remained locked on the hooded figure standing in the hallway’s shadows with their sword still lifted in preparation for a fight.
Their mouth hung open as their gaze continuously flicked from me to Ellery. “What the fuck?” they muttered, the voice confirming he was a man.
My hands tightened on her as I glared at him. He was another who would die tonight. No one could walk out of here after seeing her in these tunnels and withme.
“My mother,” Ellery whispered.
“I saw. I’m sorry.”
I ran my hand over her wet hair while leaning back a little to look at her. When she lifted her battered face from my neck, afresh jolt of rage seared through me. I’d gladly killeveryone of them again.
I stroked my thumb over the lump on her cheek and the black bruise forming there. It was one of too many. “Are you okay?”
