AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She swiped at Halak’s throat. He dodged and rolled away, then grabbed a reaper and shoved him in front of Dannika.
Dannika kicked the reaper, sending him to the ground. “His blood is weak. Yours is pure.” She sniffed the air. “You’re a warrior, but it’s more than that. You are connected to someone powerful. The demon king, perhaps?”
Halak’s black, sticky skin took on a grey hue. “You possess the power of your descendant. The king will be pleased.”
Dannika smiled as her fangs lengthened. “No, he won’t. You won’t be returning to your world.”
A tiny hand on her leg distracted her. She stared at the tear-streaked face. Her psyche fractured in the depths of Sammy’s eyes.
Her human mind fought the demon soul, creating a mental war within her body. The demon wanted blood and death. She wanted to honor her promise to Sammy. To restore the family and safety the shadow child deserved.
In the end, it was her wolf that swayed the balance. It called to its mate. Her shadow receded, snarling its displeasure.
She turned as Raine fought a reaper belonging to Killian. He represented everything good in her life.
Her red eyes receded as she knelt to help Sammy to his feet. “Run, Sammy. Hide until I can take you home.”
She waited until Sammy ducked behind a rock in the cavern. It wasn’t safe, but with everyone fighting, at least he remained out of sight.
Dannika put her hand to her chest, willing the craving for blood to subside. It didn’t dissipate completely, but the urge became manageable, allowing her to focus on the melee surrounding her.
Her temporary descent into madness had revealed the connection to the demon world. Her demon soul had understood who and what Halak was. It also recognized the bond he had with another powerful demon in their realm. Halak was a scout, and if she didn’t get that portal closed, his clan would come to his rescue.
Killian grabbed Sammy from the boy’s hiding place.
She advanced on her father, sidestepping two growling reapers focused on each other. “Killian, stop.”
Killian turned with his clawed hand wrapped around the back of Sammy’s neck. “We must make a sacrifice. We will use the child to close the portal. It will trap the demon in our world. We will use him to cure me.”
She sneered as her alpha bristled beneath the surface. “You’re right. The portal requires a sacrifice, but it won’t be the child.”
Killian growled. “While I’m not surprised you are as trustworthy as your brother, you can’t fight me.”
She extended a fingernail, allowing it to scrape along the rock, distracting her father as she ran scenarios in her mind. Foreshadowing was new to her. Killian had far more experience, but he was weak. She had always relied on her abilities, be that human or shadow warrior.
One irrevocable fact she had learned from her interaction with Halak: her demon put her life, its life, above all others. In a fight to the death, she played to win.
“Why? Because you’re my father? I can’t tell you what a disappointment that is.”
Killian shook the young boy. “Don’t come any closer, Dannika. We both know I will kill him.”
She unsheathed her reaper blade. “And the moment you do, I will return the favor.”
Killian paused when she maneuvered herself between him and the portal. “Get out of my way.”
His mind moved within her, seeking the connection by blood.
Dannika’s eyes hardened. “That doesn’t work on me anymore.”
Killian shoved the child to the ground. “Think about what you’re doing. Do you really want your brother to lead the reapers?”
“Not at all, but I will deal with him later. You die today.” The images played through her mind seconds before she acted.
Killian had watched the same movie. They sparred in a perfect tango of moving blades and shifting shadows. Neither had the upper hand as both alphas fought for dominance.
Killian stumbled before Dannika sliced along his back. He growled, attempting to keep up with her moves, but the poison in his body was taking its toll. She shifted to the shadows and reformed behind him, before she punctured his back with her blade, piercing his heart. His screams had everyone covering their ears, before his body slumped to the ground and the red in his eyes faded.
Dannika didn’t wait. She put her hand in Killian’s blood, then grabbed the demon caller, still full of hers. She mixed their blood before coating her hand and placing it on the stone rippled with orange light.
