Page 3 of A Bond So Deadly

A sharp bellow comes from someone to my right, and my heart stutters as my mates finally break free from their restraints. I can only guess that now that Queen Krosia is busy with Blake, the power in her restraints must have weakened.

Raith instantly changes form, his body growing and morphing until the man is no longer standing there but his monster. He lets out an ear-splitting roar that makes my ears ring.

All four of my mates stare at me as they stand there, and their gazes are so heavy it’s like being touched all over. Well, damn. Now is definitely not the time to be getting all hot and bothered, but the raw possessiveness in their gazes has me breathing heavier. Focus, Shade. We’re not out of this yet.

Knox’s dark gaze roves over me, inspecting every inch. “Take care of our mate,” he tells the others. “I need to end this.” It’s only when he starts toward Blake and Queen Krosia that I realize what he means. Oh crap. He’s going to try to kill the shadow queen. It’s not that I’m surprised, exactly, not after Queen Krosia tried to take his mate from him for the second time, but it’s clear his power can’t match the shadow queen’s, and concern has me clenching my jaw.

“Knox!” I call out, but he doesn’t turn.

Panic makes my senses sharpen as my mate clasps his sword and approaches two of the most powerful beings in this realm. Blake and Queen Krosia are still locked in deadly combat, and the power encircling them, shadows and golden light, is keeping everyone else back. Before Knox can reach the queens, I’m distracted when Raith’s monster comes for me, followed by Thane and Galen.

Unfortunately, Blake’s mates must think Raith’s monster is coming to kill me, because they step into his path. What the hell? Didn’t Blake pass on the message that they’re my mates?

“Stop!” I shout as Dante whistles a playful tune, eyeing my mates as he twirls his throwing stars. “He’s not going to eat me. He’s my mate!” I pause. “Okay, so yeah he probably does want to eat me, but not in the way you’re thinking!”

But Dante doesn’t respond, and I’m guessing he can’t hear me over the sound of Raith’s monster roaring and snarling, or the noise of the battle. The demon flicks his tail, and Dante’s lips curve into a smile before he sends his throwing stars flying into Raith’s chest.

“No!” I scream as the circular blades sink deep, and Raith’s monster roars as he rips them out, tossing the stars to the ground, infuriated.

“You’re not enemies!” I shout, but no one’s listening to me, and Blake is still busy with the shadow queen.

Raith’s monster shakes his massive horned head and gives Dante a crude smile, baring his fangs. “Insignificant insect. You think you can keep her from me?”

No. No. No! I facepalm. Oh, this is just great. Now our mates are going to kill each other.

Chapter Two

~ Shade ~

Raith’s monster runs toward the demon, howling as his shadows dance around his muscular form. Dante is quick to send out another volley of stars, but Raith’s shadows deflect most of them. Most, but not all. A blade buries into Raith’s left bicep, while another embeds in the monster’s chest. But it doesn’t slow him.

My mate roars, and when he’s close, Dante dodges the monster’s massive swinging arms, leaping into the air and delivering a spinning kick that sends Raith flying backwards. My mate crashes into the stands, but he’s on his feet quickly, and he sends a large chunk of stone hurtling back toward the demon.

Dante dodges out of the way and the stone sails past him, slamming into three shadow warriors instead.

“That’s enough!” Thane shouts, sprinting for me, but he only manages to get a few more paces before Callan is in front of him. The archangel spreads his wings, descending on my mate, and the clang of steel rings out.

Galen materializes from shadow behind the archangel, but Dante yanks him back, drawing Galen’s attention to him.

Raith jumps and lands close to me, snarling, and the ground trembles beneath his clawed feet, but just as I think he’s going to reach me, Alaric is there to fight him off.

I would laugh, except for the fact my mates are outmatched. It’s a small mercy Blake’s other mates are busy with the other originals. My men might be some of the most powerful shadow warriors in this realm, but Blake has already bonded with her mates, and they’ve all levelled up and received the power boost that comes with a bond like that.

“Stop! Please!” I shout again desperately. “You’re being ridiculous! If you’re trying to protect me, you’re doing it wrong!” But they continue to ignore me. I roll my eyes at everyone, unable to believe this mess.

When I turn my attention back to Galen, I have to blink twice because there are ten more of him on the sand. His illusion power, I marvel.

Unfortunately, no matter how good his illusions are, Dante hunts him out.

A section of the amphitheater crumbles, dust filling the air, and I cough, my eyes widening as I spot Queen Krosia and Blake fighting atop the rubble, shadows flying and power crackling in the air.

Knox approaches them, but Xera and Ravyn appear, uncertain but ready to defend their queen. When Knox sends out his shadows, the originals are quick to react. I’m distracted by the fight between Alaric and Raith, and the next time I look back, Xera and Ravyn are nowhere to be seen, and Knox goes for the shadow queen.

Queen Krosia brings her sword up just in time to block Knox’s blade, but Blake uses the opportunity to slice her sword across the shadow queen’s arm. Queen Krosia staggers backward, glaring at her two powerful attackers. For a fleeting second, I swear I see fear flicker in the shadow queen’s eyes, but it disappears quickly and Queen Krosia snarls, lunging for Blake.

As she moves, she draws more energy to her, and her shadows go for Knox, winding around his legs and making his knees buckle as she ties them together.

Blake lands another hit, this time to Queen Krosia’s collarbone. The cut isn’t deep, but surprise has the shadow queen jerking backward, her eyes burning with anger as she redirects more shadows to slam into Blake. My friend is thrown backward, but she flares out her wings, and she’s quick to advance on the shadow queen again.