AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shot her a pointed look, and I stepped in front of her.
“I actually enjoyed some of my time with you. I wasn’t lying when I said you reminded me of someone I used to know. You’re more like Raina than you might think, and maybe that’s why your death may hurt more than I expected.”
She lifted her chin, that defiance I loved about her a beacon in the night.
“WhenIkill you, it’ll be slow,” she vowed, shadows hissing at her fingertips. Her lower lip quivered as if repressing all the emotion she’d bottled up. Patrick and the other recruits had become her family, and from what she’d told me of her village, how its people had spurned her after the accident, she wasn’t used to having friends. This had cut her deep.
I had no doubt shewouldkill him, but Patrick, as the famed traitor of the realm, still retained a piece of Raina’s magic; the third piece. He’d just displayed a hint of what he could do when he’d attacked Jake, who was only now climbing to his feet. His skin had turned a harsh red, a few bubbling blisters dotting his cheeks and neck.
Kiara would have to carve out Patrick’s stolen magic very carefully. But where would it go afterward? According to my mother’s book of lore that I’d lent Kiara, Raina’s power had split into three parts—the threekeys—that had vanished so quickly Patrick had only had time to seize one.
I cursed myself, feeling guilty for not seeing through his shy, helpless act. There had been times when I’d thought I’d see a glimmer of an edge in his eyes, though I’d foolishly suspected it had to do with Kiara and me getting closer. I’d thought it to be petty jealousy.
Maybe, in some twisted way, it had been.
The branches of the nearest trees cracked and splintered, and a great roar rattled the Mist. Even Patrick lifted his head and gazed to the woods, a grim smile curving his mouth.
Emerging from the north were three wolf-like creatures, all standing well over five feet. Their bodies were masked almost entirely by the darkness, though thick fur tufted from their lethal forms, the color of pure, fresh snow. And while I couldn’t see all of their features, their glowing red eyes shone clear enough.
Kiara righted herself, adopting a fighting position.
Jake, who hardly looked able to stand, let alone ready for battle, ambled to her other side, his hands shaking as he lifted his weapon.
I’d seen the loyalty in his character from day one. It had been one of the reasons I’d chosen him for this mission, in addition to his exceptional combat skills. Loyalty was a greater commodity than brute force or skill. Tonight had proven that.
Before the wolves pounced, a man materialized before them, the pelt of a black bear draped across his broad shoulders. Tangled, ash-white hair fell below his chin, his eyes glowing a predatory yellow. He walked before the beasts, and they followed like hounds after their master. With the brawn of a bear and the smooth advancement of a coiling serpent, he led the devilish creatures into the center of the field, his eyes trained on Patrick. It wasn’t a kind look, or one borne of respect. He stared at Patrick as if he, too, wished to slice his throat.
“Thank you for joining us, Lorian,” Patrick said, bowing his head. “I figured it was past time I call in my favor.”
Lorian, God of Beasts and Prey.
My pulse thrummed against my neck. One look at him said it all, from the way he appeared more animal than man to the shining yellow eyes. He wasn’t human, and a dormant part of me stood at attention, recognizing his devastating might.
The god grunted, tilting his head to the side as if assessing his next victim. “I’d hardly call this a favor,” he growled, his shoulders hunched and his upper lip curled.
Patrick turned to Kiara, whispering, “I may have promised him something for his aid. He’s been weakened, something precious stolen from him. I merely gifted him the information needed to right that wrong.” He shook his head in a mockery of concern. “But that tale is for another day.”
I hadn’t the faintest idea of what they spoke. Either way, Lorian being here and on Patrick’s side wouldn’t bode well for us.
The exhaustion I’d felt earlier slowly receded, and a quick look at Kiara told me she’d regained some energy as well. As screwed-up as it was, pride filled me. I’d done that.Healedher.
All I could recall was that fire inside me, my mind screaming into a void of bright light, begging for her to be saved. Electricity had shot through me then, right from my chest to my fingers, which had been pressed against her wound. I’d been too focused on her face to notice the injury stitching itself up. If she had died… I couldn’t help but feel as if I would have joined her. We were tied together, and not simply because of what Patrick insinuated. It was greater than divinity, than magic. What I felt for her was infinite.
“Have fun, Lorian,” Patrick murmured, waving an idle hand as he stepped to the side. “Hopefully, once this is all over, we can form our own alliance for the dark days ahead. Just remember to save the killing blows for me.”
That’s right. He needed to be close when the pieces of Raina’s power were released.
I was going to kill him.Slowly.
But before I could make my move, the wolves dashed into the clearing, tearing at the ground with their clawed feet, their mouths open as frothy spittle flew.
“You got a plan, right?” Jake asked, bumping into Kiara.
She worked her way in front of her friend. “Aim for the heart or head, Jake. That’s the plan.”
“Solid,” he grumbled, even as he raised his weapon.
The first wolf lunged, aiming for Kiara. She was a whirl of limbs as she shoved Jake to the ground, far away from the creature. Before she, too, could move to the side and lift her weapon, the wolf’s paws knocked her down. My pulse raced as it brought its claws up in the air, ready to slice her chest, her throat, her face.
