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Braden drew back enough to wind up for a serious right hook. But Ian had been around a few decades and before Braden’s fist could land, he smashed Braden’s ribs with two quick hits. As Braden doubled over, Ian levitated backward just far enough that when he swung his booted foot, he landed a powerful kick in Braden’s gut.
Braden grunted, then in a swift flash of movement, tucked, rolled and gained his feet a couple yards away from Ian. Braden didn’t rush in again, as he had because of Ian’s taunt. Instead, though breathing hard and protecting his left side with his elbow, he danced on his feet, side-stepping several times.
Ian knew Braden was doing a quick self-heal. He watched the large bruising on the vampire’s bare stomach diminish steadily then vanish. So much power.
Ian held back, moving his shoulders slowly, fists up. His gaze never left Braden. Stalling was good.
Braden moved in again, only faster than before. He swept past Ian on his right and in the same split-second turned and caught Ian in a choke-hold.
Ian reacted instinctively by grabbing the heavy muscular arm pressing against his windpipe. But he’d never be able to break the hold with his hands.
He mentally regrouped quickly, shifted sideways just enough to slam his elbow into Braden’s ribs. The jolt caused Braden to reduce the pressure on Ian’s neck.
Ian caught Braden’s arm in a tough grasp, then with a jerk of his hips and legs, flipped Braden over his head.
Braden landed hard on his back. Ian felt the vibrations up both legs since the entire building shook. Braden had to be close to three hundred pounds.
Again, Ian drew back several feet, needing more than anything to buy some time. But the next second, Braden rushed him while levitating, spun and kicked Ian hard in the face. Ian flew backward, his head hitting the stone hearth in front of the fireplace.
“Ian,” Regan cried out.
Ian slowly rose onto his knees, shaking his head. The kick had hurt like hell and his brain felt like it was upside down. He couldn’t pull his thoughts together. He needed time. But he didn’t get it, since Braden offered up his own heavy boot and kicked Ian repeatedly in the abdomen.
Ian drew himself into a knot, taking the blows, but he couldn’t do much more than that. His head throbbed badly.
When Braden shifted, and began kicking him in the spine, the blows added a whole new level of pain to the mix.
~ ~ ~
Regan had watched the battle with her heart in her throat. Because Braden kept pounding Ian with his boot, she knew she had to do something or Ian would die.
Her forearms vibrated powerfully with Ian’s battle energy. He’d said to go with her instincts so without giving it too much thought, Regan levitated and flew at lightning speed toward Braden. Just before she made contact, she flipped, kicked out with both feet while in a horizontal line and connected hard with the back of Braden’s skull. He flew against the fireplace, his forehead hitting the mantel. Down he went.
The force of her kick sent her flying backward. But she accessed her levitation skill quickly and broke her fall, landing not far from Ian.
Sitting up quickly, she placed a hand on his forearm over what she now thought of as blood tattoos. She gathered her healing vibration and let it flow. She was stunned by the level of power she was able to release and could feel it moving into Ian in a swift wave. A few seconds later, Ian sat up, his gray eyes wide as he stared at her.
Holy shit, Regan. Your power. You’re healing me.
She nodded, but her attention was caught by Braden next to her, now righting himself and levitating. She had to get out of the way and started to rise up when hands caught her from behind.
Suddenly airborne, she realized the bonded wraith had engaged the battle as well. She launched Regan with tremendous Invictus power toward the windows.
Regan would have hit one of the steel frames, but she was able at the last moment to reverse her course, charting a safer trajectory back into the room. Even so, she hit the floor hard.
Shaken, she still forced herself to levitate, to gain her bearings.
Ian was back to battling Braden, but where was the wraith?
She caught sight of a red flash above her. The next instant, the wraith screeched and fell on Regan, pushing her on her back as she took her down to the wood floor.
Power flowed from the wraith, a vibration she knew was all vampire because the woman had blended her being with Braden. She sat on Regan, pinning her down and using each of her hands to keep Regan’s arms from moving. Regan was completely helpless against the woman’s superior physical strength.
She lifted Regan’s arms and crossed them at the wrists. Using only one of her hands, the wraith grabbed both wrists, holding Regan captive. In a clever maneuver, the wraith used Regan’s hands, pressing them to Regan’s face in order to force her head to the side.
No. Oh, no. Sweet Goddess, no!
From her peripheral vision, Regan saw the woman’s sharp fangs emerge. Invictus wraiths, given their maniacal state, were brutal feeders. The next moment, the wraith struck Regan’s throat with a swift, hard, painful blow. Opening the vein, she began to drink in deep gulps that had Regan crying out in agony.
