Something violent and angry wrung my insides. Shecouldn’tdie. Not now. Not after I’d decided to do everything within my power to keep her safe. Sidling toward her, I allowed my hand to brush the back of hers. She looked up at me, and her gaze softened. I’d chase away her fears for the rest of my life if I could.
“We’ll handle this. Together.” And with my brethren all offering tight nods of agreement, the trembling of Leena’s fingers disappeared. Her answering grin was fierce. Determined. It lit up my world.
“Together.”
Eighteen
Leena
The Laharock extended its elongated neck, raising its head to the sun, and let out a screech that rattled the treetops. Pupil-less white eyes burned with heat. We were staring down the face of death in the form of an A-Class beast. One I had not expected to encounter. My gaze shot past it to the volcano. It should have been lounging at the base, soaking up the minerals and heat from the lava beneath the surface. Far, far away from where I’d find the Myad.
Noc sliced a fine line across his palm, and blood swelled to the surface, pooling in the grooves of his palm and trickling toward his fingertips. “What do we do?” Shadows leaped from the forest, encompassing the band of assassins and delivering ink-black weapons into their open hands.
Think.I flexed my hands.Which beast?
The Laharock stepped forward, and the sun glinted off the protective blood-red scales lining its spine, neck, and arms. Edges rimmed in gold, Laharock plates sold for a good amount on the black market, but piercing its hide was damn near impossible.
Iky wouldn’t be able to do any damage.
“Look at that.” Oz nodded toward the creature’s hind legs. Nestled deep into the sand, a baby Laharock blinked up at its mother.
Mother. “Shit.” She’d left the steep hills of the volcano to birth her young on easier terrain. Blood blades rose by my cheek, and Noc’s hand once again grazed mine.Together.Kost crept closer, an endless supply of weapons brimming against his hip. With one hand, he snuck his fingers into his breast pocket and extracted a bronze key.
“Wait.” I glanced at Felicks. At the wondrous future unfolding in his globe. “You two have bonded enough for him to share his visions, right?”
Kost’s hand froze. “Yes. At least I think so. I don’t get full stories just yet. More like photographs.”
“That’ll work.” I tapped into my power, and rosewood light bloomed around my hand. “Are you comfortable with using him? His ability would help keep us out of harm’s way.”
Kost pulled in a breath. Released it. Finally, he put his key away. “If anything happens to him—”
The Laharock roared without moving. She was being careful, keeping her young within defending distance while asserting her territory. Her precaution would only last so long. Soon, she’d realize we were easy prey and make dinner out of all of us.
“Nothing will happen to him. I promise.” The door to the realm groaned open, and my Asura, Quilla, materialized before us. Her cow head swiveled round until all ten eyes locked on me. She made a move to position herself beside me, to activate her protective shield and keep me safe, but I shook my head and pointed at Felicks. “Protect him. At all costs.”
Quilla hugged Felicks to her chest with her middle arms and sauntered toward the edge of the forest line behind us. She sat cross-legged on the ground, nestled Felicks in her lap, and then extended her arms. Shield activated.
“Don’t move,” Kost said to his beast. Felicks barked, and the clouds in his gem cleared. Future determined.
“Well?” Calem edged forward. His fingers twitched.
“Easy, Calem.” Noc glanced between him and me. The blood blade in his hand glistened in the sun and made my gut churn.
“We’re not killing her. She’s got a child. Which means…”
“Taming,” Kost said. He pressed one finger to his temple, brow furrowed. “Felicks doesn’t see it yet, but that doesn’t mean—look out!”
The Laharock charged and we scattered, the men sinking away into the shadows and me leaping to the side. I rolled against the ground, grains of sand worming into my skin. Unable to see the assassins, the beast turned toward me. Heat sweltered in the space around her. Rocketing to my feet, I launched several yards back. The edge of the ocean kissed the heels of my shoes.
Kost reappeared first, finger still pressed to his temple. “Calem, Ozias—don’t try it!”
Both men manifested from the shadows, flanking her sides and aiming blades at the backs of the beast’s knees. But at Kost’s command, they peeled off and fell back into darkness. If they’d gone through with their actions, the Laharock’s heat would have burned their skin down to the bone.
I caught Felicks in my peripheral vision and the swirling glint of vibrant amethyst atop his head. Still telegraphing. Adjusting predictions based on our actions. He was remarkable.
Noc materialized before me, onyx tendrils spreading outward and lightly caressing my skin. The Laharock charged, and Noc yanked me toward him, pulling me into the depths of darkness and the safety of his arms. A world as black and endless as the night sky encompassed us, faint gleaming shades of gray weaving through the ink. Between the slate-black color of his hair and eyes, I couldn’t tell where he began and the shadows ended. Forehead scrunched in worry, he pressed me closer for a moment before Queens Isle returned, ocean waves and blazing hot sun before us.
My mind reeled as I tried to grapple with the sudden change in surroundings. Noc’s grip on my wrist tightened. He’d moved us into the water and the Laharock was standing her ground on the beach, howling and tossing her head to the sky. An ocean wave crested against the back of my knees.
