AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This city will burn.
Chapter 24
HAYLEY
Rebel
“YOU’RE DEAD!” I scream, rushing Lawrence. I flip over the ropes and grab the aerial pole, using it to swing around to disorient the vampire.
The crowd breaks out in the chaos, but I ignore the world around me. My eyes focus solely on the man who hurt Monroe. I can’t even look at Monroe on the mat. My mind won’t allow me to believe that he’s not going to get up.
“Face me, my heir. Come here and let me remind you of your place!” Lawrence snaps, moving at vampire speed to circle me. But I climb higher out of his reach.
Wind gusts through my hair, and I use the strength of my thighs to keep the pole circling. If I can time it just right, I can drop down while I’m spinning and knock Lawrence off his feet with a powerful kick. The force of the move should be enough to give me a couple of seconds. A couple of seconds is all I need. It’s all it will take to shove my hand into his chest to remove his heart. I will squish it like he did Monroe’s.
“Come on, you assholes! Don’t be afraid to enter the ring.” Alexander’s voice shouts commands at the crowd, and I notice a figure entering the ring.
Lawrence spins and manages to decapitate a vampire with the kitchen knife. He is far too powerful for any vampire to take alone.
I should feel discouraged. I should feel afraid. But all I feel in this moment is angry. Hungry. I feel like revenge.
The distraction is exactly what I need. Throwing my weight once more, I spin on the aerial pole as I release my grip and slide down until I manage to kick Lawrence in the back of the head, sending him sprawling. He trips over Monroe and crashes into the ropes. They send him tumbling back, and I jump from my spot and land on top of him.
“Kill him!” someone shouts.
It’s the only thing I’m counting on.
Lawrence chomps his fangs and tries to bite me, but I shove my hand to the side of his head and jerk down and bite him. I plan to keep biting him until I can rip his fucking head off with my teeth. He needs to die in the most painful way. If I can bite a finger off, I know I can do this. His blood flooding my mouth sets me off, and I rip chunk after chunk, spitting his flesh out as he hollers and stabs me with the kitchen knife in my side. But I don’t stop. I keep healing as I consume his blood.
An ear-piercing explosion quakes the building, and an alarm rings through the air. The stage lights flash out. A few of the security personnel shout. Growling into the microphone, Alexander calls demands. But I can’t understand the words. It’s as if he’s speaking another language, but I know it’s just because I can’t get rid of the pounding in my head.
Gunfire showers through the club, and the strangest thing happens.
“Little bird, you gotta let him go. We only have seconds.” Monroe’s husky voice prods at me, and my heart splits open. I can’t comprehend how this is possible. How am I hearing his voice?
“Just grab her. She’s weakening me.” Lawrence‘s voice shocks realization through me.
What the actual fuck?
Two hands lock around my waist and pull me up. The room shakes again. I don’t know what’s happening. It takes everything in me to release Lawrence.
“You obviously were too good of an actor. Remind her that we had a deal. I think only you will be able to talk some sense into her. She’s too lost in her nature.” Lawrence presses his palm against my chest, keeping space between us in case I jerk down to bite him again.
“Come on, little bird. Listen to my voice. You have to let him go. He only yanked out part of something useless. I’m sorry I scared you. We needed to buy time. The Bella Crew is attacking the city.” Monroe slides his arm across my throat and gently eases me up until I pull my fingers from Lawrence’s shoulders.
I hadn’t realized I was gripping him so tightly that I sunk my fingertips into skin. How am I so strong? I have no fucking idea.
“You faked it?” My voice shakes with the words. I can’t believe it. I was so scared. I was so angry.
“You can punish me later. We needed you to fight.” Monroe flips me around in his arms and presses his forehead to mine. “Forgive me.”
“Save that for later. We have to go.” Sawyer materializes beside me and reaches out to touch my cheek. “Our time is running out. Tatum says the leadership is calling upon all covens.”
“The three fuckers can only corner Alexander for so long. They’re too chickenshit to fight him to the death.” Knox looks at me, shifting on his feet to bend down to inspect the rest of my body. His eyes focus on the healing stab marks, and he tenses.
“Remember, fucker. We’re in charge. If you so much as try anything, you’re a dead man.” Cooper surprises me by stepping between us and Lawrence as if he could take on the vampire himself.
The air escapes my lungs. My whole body cools and I shiver. He didn’t just say what I think he said. It sounds as if Lawrence plans to come with us. No.
