Page 34 of Gargoyle Defender

Ronen took a measured step forward, calculating the distance between himself and Victor. If he lunged now, Victor might harm Tanner before he could reach them. He needed to keep the traitor talking while he positioned himself better.

“So you decided to help demons corrupt Nephilim instead?” Ronen kept his voice low, controlled despite the anger boiling inside him. “You’re pathetic.”

Victor barked out a laugh. “Pathetic?” The sound was harsh and grating. “While you’ve been playing the dutiful soldier, I’ve discovered what the rogues truly needed. Not holy relics, but holy vessels.”

He traced a line down Tanner’s cheek with one talon. “The Nephilim themselves are far more valuable. A corrupted Nephilim mated to a shadow gargoyle creates the perfect warrior—one with angelic power twisted to our purpose.”

Ronen’s muscles coiled tighter. Every instinct screamed at him to attack, to tear Victor limb from limb. But Tanner’s vulnerable form kept him fixed in place. His eyes darted to Ezekiel, the healer stirring slightly. Was he under a dark spell? Or only knocked out?

“Our purpose?” Geordie spat. “You speak as if you’re one of them.”

Victor’s eyes widened with a flash of red. “I've been one of them for longer than you know. The shadow transformation was…” He sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Liberating.” His stone skin darkened, veins filled with what looked like black oil running through the granite. "When I was approached by the rogues, they offered what Michael and the Most High had denied me. Recognition of my worth.” His mouth lifted in a sickening smile. “And a dark angel at my side to soothe me when I need respite, one I can breed as often as I choose.”

Ronen’s gaze darted between Victor and Tanner, calculating the distance, the timing needed. His mate’s shallow breathing was the only thing keeping him from charging forward recklessly.

“And what about all the gargoyles who died because of your betrayal?” Geordie spat out, shifting his weight forward incrementally. “Our brothers and sisters who trusted you?”

Victor shrugged, the motion unnaturally fluid for his stone form. “Casualties of war. Their sacrifice will be remembered when we reshape this world.” He glanced down at Tanner with an expression that mingled contempt with desire. “But perhaps the greatest victory is claiming what was meant to be yours, Ronen.”

Unbridled rage exploded in Ronen's chest. He launched himself forward with a roar that shook the stone walls, his massive wings unfurling in the confined space. Victor seemed to have anticipated the attack, shoving Tanner’s limp form aside as he met Ronen’s charge.

Their stone bodies collided with a thunderous crack, the impact sending tremors through the floor. Ronen dug his claws into Victor’s shoulders, seeking purchase as they both crashed into the far wall. Chunks of granite flew as they grappled, their wings battering against furniture and walls.

“You’re too late,” Victor snarled, his breath hot against Ronen’s face. “The corruption has already begun.”

Ronen slammed his forehead into Victor’s skull with a sickening crack. The traitor’s head snapped back, but his laughter rang out, manic and unhinged. Ronen drove his knee into Victor’s gut, using the momentum to slam him against the stone wall again.

“You think you’ve won?” Victor hissed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “This was always the plan. While you and your pathetic Slayers waste time at the facility, the real ritual is happening right here.”

“Geordie!” Ronen shouted, still grappling with Victor. “Get to Tanner!”

Marianne Walker moved with unnatural speed, her body jerking like a marionette as she positioned herself between Geordie and Tanner. Her eyes had gone completely black, no whites visible at all.

Geordie charged at Marianne, but she raised her hand, a pulse of dark energy erupting from her palm that knocked the gargoyle backward. Geordie crashed into the opposite wall, stone cracking under the impact.

“You see?” Victor wheezed through Ronen’s grip. “She’s more than possessed. The demons have granted her power beyond your imagination.”

Ronen slammed Victor against the wall again, his claws digging deeper into the traitor's shoulders. “I don’t give a fuck what power she has. You won’t touch him.”

Victor’s laughter turned to a gurgle as Ronen’s claws found his throat. “The ritual has already started. Can’t you feel it? Your mate’s essence being corrupted?”

Panic surged through Ronen as he glanced toward Tanner. His mate’s body trembled, a faint, dark glow pulsing beneath his skin. Ronen’s momentary distraction was all Victor needed. He twisted violently, breaking Ronen’s grip and delivering a crushing blow to Ronen’s chest that sent him staggering backward.

“You’re too late!” Victor roared, his voice distorting with demonic influence. “Watch as your precious mate becomes our first true weapon!”

Ronen regained his footing, the stone floor cracking beneath his claws. Tanner's body convulsed in the chair, his back arching unnaturally as darkness pulsed beneath his skin. Each pulse sent a corresponding wave of agony through Ronen’s chest—their bond transmitting Tanner’s suffering directly to him.

“Tanner!” Ronen lunged forward, only to be intercepted by Marianne Walker, her body contorting at impossible angles as she blocked his path.

“The vessel is transforming,” she hissed, her voice a chorus of multiple tones speaking in unison. “Already his angelic essence is being consumed by darkness.”

Victor moved to stand beside her, his crimson eyes gleaming with triumph. “And once the transformation is complete, I will claim him. The bond between you will be severed forever.”

Ronen’s agonizing howl shook the very foundations of the lair. He charged forward, his massive stone form barreling toward Victor and Marianne. The possessed woman raised her hands again, dark energy crackling between her fingers, but Geordie lunged from the side, tackling her to the ground.

“Go!” Geordie shouted, wrestling with the crazed woman. “I’ve got her!”

Victor squared off, his expression maniacal. “Give up, you’ve already lost,” he taunted. “Any moment now, his corruption will be complete, and you will have failed.” Victor favored him with a hideous grin. “Care to know who had the honor of torturing you when you were captured?” He lifted an eyebrow. “It was the highlight of my existence up until now.” He glanced at Tanner. “I wonder what name I shall give mine and Tanner’s first child?” Victor’s eyes burned red. “After I dispose of your mewling brat the second it’s born.”