Page 356 of Coal Hearts

“You move, and we shoot!” Another spotlight, another holler. “We gave you an order! Obey it!”

Words.

I spoke those once upon a time.

They wriggled through my desperation to destroy...bringing with them memories of why.

The darkness in my mind receded.

The creature within me paused.

My hands flexed, feeling the tug of torn skin and the hot throb of bruises.

I looked at the carnage by my feet.

Two men.

One with his neck at an unnatural angle and another with a massive contusion where his mangled cock hung.

Both unconscious.

W-Where is she?

“The Master Jeweler is on his way,” crackled the loudhailer. “Do. Not. Move.”

Shielding my eyes, I looked up at the fortress walls. Massive spotlights angled toward my little massacre, and vague silhouettes of guards aimed sniper weapons in my direction.

The urge to keep killing bubbled in my gut.

I wanted everyone in motherfucking pieces.

But...

Her.

Spinning in the slushy grass, I searched the ground for—

“Ilyana.” Her full name fell from my lips as I darted to her side and fell to one knee. She sat up in the rain, her head down and blue-black hair sticking to shock-washed cheeks.

I wasn’t prepared for the slap of emotion.

The fist of feeling.

The godawful punch of home.

My heart stopped, then restarted, syncing to hers, always to hers.

“Ily...”

She didn’t react as I gently touched her shoulder.

I splayed my hand on her icy skin and grunted as two polarising, primordial forces collided within me.

The beast inside me raged with the primal urge to fuck her as my right as conqueror.

I despised that another had put his hands on her.

Put his scent and DNA and—