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They hadn’t managed to subdue her yet.

She wasn’t going down without a fight.

Anyone stupid enough to think she’d quietly cooperate deserved whatever came next. I’d had to learn the hard way, too.

She couldn’t transform like a full Shyrlivi, but she’d grown up surrounded by horrific lesser infernals, so she wouldn’t shrink away in terror over a few Shyrlivi. She wasn’t a damsel in distress.

I didn’t see Zeke, but given the way Raelynn kicked and flailed, I had to believe he was okay and helping her.

The injured guy scrambled into the front seat while the one who’d gotten out took his place in the back.

I rushed to catch up before I lost my opportunity to stop them.

The massive Shyrlivi that had been fighting Ash earlier stepped in front of me, blocking my sight of the car.

“Move,” I snarled.

He smirked and cracked his neck, taking a swing at me, only to stagger back when I lunged at him, claws extended.

I didn’t have time to play with him.

He moved, bringing his fist down to connect with my shoulder, but I sidestepped and pivoted, aiming low. I wrapped my arms around his waist and tackled him to the ground.

The impact rattled my teeth.

He twisted beneath me, trying to roll us and crush me beneath his weight, but I buried my claws into his side before he could gain any leverage. He roared and drove his elbow into my jaw.

My head whipped to the side, and I caught sight of the car again.

They hadn’t taken off.

I still had time.

The tank trying to crush me took advantage of the distraction and wrenched my head back by the hair. Pain exploded through my arm when he twisted it, forcing my claws from his side.

My arm would heal, but it’d take hours.

None of it mattered.

I rolled and brought my foot up, driving the heel of my dress shoe into his face. If I’d had my combat boots on, I’d have been able to do serious damage.

When he staggered, releasing me, I got to my feet and drove the claws of my uninjured hand into his chest, aiming for his heart but missing. I dug them deeper when he tried to reach for my head again, making him screech like a dying animal.

I planted my foot against his chest when he grabbed my wrist, ripping my arm free before he destabilized me.

Hot blood splattered across my face as he screamed, then started choking on it.

I turned, charging for the car, only to be cut off again by the two from earlier.

“Get out of my fucking way!”

One of them seemed to hesitate, looking at the lifeless heap behind me. But the other was stupid enough to advance on me. Good thing he was half my size and hadn’t transformed.

“Don’t touch her!”

I turned at Zeke’s panicked shout in time to see someone restraining him through the open car door and hear Raelynn scream out of sight.

Fuck.