by G. K. DeRosa
“I don’t care…” I mumbled.
“It was Ransom’s dying request, Sierra. Don’t let his death be meaningless.”
Grinding my teeth, I held back the urge to scream. “Why is everything so unfair?” I cried out. “I can’t take this anymore, Hunter, I can’t!” I punched him in the chest, once and then again. With one fist and then with two, over and over again. And he let me. All the while holding Ransom over his shoulder.
I sobbed and punched, my shoulders heaving with the effort, my arms burning from the strain.
When I had nothing left, I sagged against Hunter and buried my face in his chest. He ran his free hand through my hair then down my back. “It’s going to be okay, Sierra. I swear it. Everything you’ve gone through will all count for something. Somehow, it just has to.”
Liar. I wanted to scream it, but I didn’t have anything left.
“Now please, let me get you out of here.” He offered me his hand once again, and this time I took it. He hauled me up, and I clung onto his side. Ransom’s body hung lifeless across his other shoulder; the sight of my friend incited bile to claw its way up my throat.
He was gone. He’d given up his life for me, even after what I’d done to his own mother.
I barely noticed as Hunter took off, only the drop of my belly alerted me of our departure. A thick fog blanketed my being. I was numb, lost.
How could I lose them both? Ransom was my friend, my confidant and now he was gone. Hunter would leave next. I couldn’t survive without him; I was certain of it.
Despite my anger at my mate, I clung onto him as we soared over the river and the dark jagged turrets of Royal Castle loomed ever closer. I hazarded another peek at Ransom, his ashen skin awash beneath the moonlight. I’d never see the dark sparkle in his eyes, the mischievous twist of his lips. Every dismal thought was a stab in the heart; much like he’d endured for me.
Gods, Ransom, why would you do that for me? I wanted to scream it out loud as I dug my nails into Hunter’s arm.
“Because he loved you, Sierra.” Hunter’s whispered words broke the spiral of anger from whirling out of control. He didn’t even look at me when he spoke, he kept his eyes trained straight ahead. “He loved you, and he was willing to give his life for you because he knew how important you are.”
An invisible fist smashed into my ribcage and tore at my fractured heart.
“It’s the same reason that I was forced to make the decision I made.”
“That you’re leaving me?” I snarled.
“For you, Sierra. I’m doing it because it is what’s best for you. Just like what Ransom did.”
“Just stop talking, Hunter. I swear to all the gods if you say another word, I’ll let go. I’d rather face the vampires down there than hear you tell me one more time that you’re breaking my heart because it’s for the best.”
His jaw snapped closed, and we flew in silence for the rest of the journey to the castle. At least Hunter’s stupid comments had morphed the sadness to anger. Rage I could deal with. Rage fueled my temper, my will to win. Sadness leeched everything right out of me.
Hunter was right about one thing. I owed the win to Ransom, to my mom, even to Grams. To everyone that had been sacrificed in the name of Tyrien’s revenge.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hunter and I trudged out of Royal Castle, each footstep heavier than the last. Carmen Rosa, the queen, had promised to safeguard Ransom’s body until Lucien came to collect him. I’d said goodbye to my friend for the last time. The next time I’d see him would be at his funeral, and he’d be in a wooden box, then buried deep beneath the earth for eternity.
My throat constricted, and I swallowed hard to dislodge the lump in my throat. I regretted so many things, hated that we’d fought over our mothers, that I’d questioned his loyalty to me for even a moment. Besides Cass, he’d been the best friend I’d ever had.
“We should fly,” said Hunter, his voice drawing me from my thoughts. “I don’t think the wards extend past the castle.” He hadn’t spoken to me since I’d snapped at him earlier. But he’d held me silently as I cried when I said my final goodbyes.
I nodded as his wings unfurled. I forced my foggy mind to refocus on the competition. With Ransom gone, only four of us remained. How far had Aquor and Araton gotten? I’d never thought to ask Hunter if he’d seen them.
He bent down and offered his arms, and I reluctantly climbed in. Being nestled in his chest wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be right now, but I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could walk all the way back to the arena by myself. And right now, I had to make good on my promise to Ransom. I had to win.
“Have you seen Aquor or Araton?” I asked as I loosely draped my arms around Hunter’s neck.
“Aquor’s dead,” he muttered. “I found vampires feasting on his body a few miles before I caught up with you and Ransom.”
I gulped, imagining the massive wolf-fish bleeding out. I’d never liked him, but I wouldn’t wish that sort of death on anyone. Except maybe Tyrien…
“And Araton?” If he was dead too, Hunter and I would automatically advance.
“He was alive last I saw him. He attacked me, and I had to defend myself with dragonfire. His wing was pretty badly damaged, but I’m sure it’s healed by now.”
“Great. So he could already be back at the arena.”
Hunter shook his head. “I would’ve heard from my father if anyone had returned.” His face blanked, and then his eyes glazed over. I held my breath as I waited. Would Araton respond to him through the pack link?
“Nothing,” he finally muttered. “He’s blocking me somehow, but I can sense him. He’s not too far away. We have to get moving.”
“Well, then start flapping those wings, Dragon Boy.” The words popped out before I could stop them. I waited for the sadness or regret that usually stirred within my mate when I uttered his old nickname, but none came. Right, because he felt nothing.
Instead, he kept his gaze locked straight ahead as we shot up into the pitch sky. Gods, everything was so effed up. I shoved all the pain of loss far down, hiding it within my darkest, murky depths. If we made it back to the arena first, there would only be one day of competition left. Then I’d allow myself to wallow in misery for as long as I wanted.
Another disturbing thought I’d been suppressing catapulted to the forefront of my mind. “What are we going to do if we are the final two?”
“I’ll just let you kill me. How about that? It’ll solve all our problems.”
There wasn’t even a hint of humor in his voice, and that realization struck hard. “How could you even say that?” I cried.
He shook his head, jaw clenched tight. “Nothing really matters to me anymore, Sierra. I’m empty, completely void. Emotions rule everything and without them, I’m nothing.”
“But you said you’d protect me. You said that no matter what.”
He nodded slowly. “Once Tyrien is gone, you’ll be safe.”
My brows slammed together, and I narrowed my gaze at Hunter’s expressionless countenance. “How would Tyrien be gone? Are you planning something?”
He refused to meet my gaze, eyes still trained on the horizon. “I’d never leave you unprotected, Sierra. I may have lost everything, but I know what I have to do. And having no emotions makes it that much easier.”
Sharp claws of fear raked across my insides. “Please don’t do anything stupid, Hunter. If anything happened to you…” My words fell away, the horror of really losing him too painful to speak.
“Don’t be afraid. Everything will work out as it should. Just trust me.”
Hunter’s last word still lingered in the air when something smashed into my side. All the air whooshed from my lungs as Araton’s form coalesced beside us. He reared, readying to slam into me with his shoulder again.
Wolf-angel a-hole!
I splayed my fingers readying to blast him with witchfire when his angel blade appeared in his palm. He lunged, bringing the w
eapon down on Hunter’s wing.
A blood-curdling scream rent the air, and it took me a second to realize it had come from my own mouth. As we plummeted down to earth, I squeezed my arms tighter around my mate’s neck. “Are you okay?” I called out over the rushing winds.
“No,” he growled. “I’m going to kill that damned flying wolf.”
Blood blossomed across the reptilian appendage, deep crimson coating the golden scales. Oh, this was not good.
The ground grew closer, and we plummeted faster and faster. Hunter curled an arm around my waist and repositioned me so I was on top of him. His uninjured wing flapped harder, and we finally slowed.
At the last second, I splayed my fingers out and muttered, “Materazzo materialazzo.” Hunter landed on the soft mattress with an oomph, the smack of our bodies colliding making my teeth chatter.
“Nice trick,” he muttered.
My body was flush against his, his arm still tightly curled around my waist holding me prisoner against the hard planes of his form. Despite his wounded wing, the angry angel soaring above, and the loss of my friend only a few hours ago, my body reacted to my mate’s proximity. A low growl vibrated low in my belly, and Hunter’s eyes found mine.
A flash of gold streaked through the emerald, and an echoing growl rumbled his chest. His eyes widened, and disbelief flashed across his cold countenance. “My wolf…”
“Do you feel him?” I lifted my upper body off his chest.
He massaged the spot right over his heart, and a glossy sheen coated his eyes. “Yes…”
Araton slammed into me, and I somersaulted off Hunter’s body. I rolled onto the asphalt, skidding my palms and knees on the gravelly street. “Son of a witch!” I shrieked. Pushing myself back onto my feet, I spun at the bastard Celestial.
He and Hunter were already going at it, claws against sword. There was no way I was sitting this one out. I raced across the sidewalk and jumped on Araton’s broad back, clinging onto his wings. He thrashed below me trying to buck me off, but I wrapped my arm around his neck and squeezed.
His angel sword sliced the air with deadly precision, the blazing flames dancing across the heavenly blade. Hunter had half-shifted, golden scales covered his arms and a barbed tail swung at Araton’s legs.
The angel-wolf was a beast. With enhanced healing, every swipe of Hunter’s claws mended within seconds. There was only one way we would stop him, and the thought sent a bout of nausea roiling through my gut.
Hunter must have read my mind because his next swipe aimed straight for the jugular. I barely got my arm out of the way in time. His sharp talons nicked the vein, and a trickle of blood oozed out.
“You’ll have to try harder than that, Aristaeus.” He ran his finger over the torn skin, and his flesh miraculously mended beneath the golden glow.
“This doesn’t have to be to the death, Celestial,” Hunter growled. “Let’s race, fair and square. Whoever makes it to the arena first wins.”
Araton eyed me then returned his cold gaze to the supreme beta. “You really think you could outfly me with a torn wing while toting your mate?”
“I know I could.” Golden flames lit up his dark irises, and his pupils lengthened to narrow slits.
“I fear you could too.” Before the last word was out, Araton bucked me off his shoulders and lunged. His blade sank into Hunter’s chest and another scream tore from deep within my body.
Hunter staggered back, clutching the hilt of the sword protruding from his flesh.
“No!” An inhuman snarl exploded from my mouth, and I dropped down on all fours. My wolf took over, raging fury surging through my veins. She moved so quickly my human brain could barely follow her movements.
She—no I, leapt on Araton, jaw open wide. My fangs sank into his neck and warm blood spurted in my mouth. The pungent metallic tang incited the frenzy and I bit down, harder. His screams barely registered.
Even Hunter’s voice in my head was easy to ignore. I gave into the beast, into the mindless anger and wrath. I wanted to disappear into her, where everything was easy, black and white. I wanted to be the animal and nothing else. No pain, no fear, no guilt, no regret.
I held on until Araton’s body went still.
Hunter’s strong hands attempted to pry me off my prey, but I growled and snarled until he released me. I could still feel his presence hovering over me, but he kept his distance. I stretched out over my prize, basking in the glory of battle.
Only primal urges governed me now. I buried the human side far beneath the surface.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hunter
* * *
Shit. Sierra had been pushed too far. Her human heart and mind couldn’t take it anymore. It had been too much, and now she’d buried her human side deep within her wolf.
I crouched low, hands out in front of me, despite the gash across my chest. I gritted my teeth through the pain. “Sierra, I need you to come back to me.”
The wolf growled, showcasing those menacing fangs. Her glowing violet hue blazed beneath the pale light of the moon.
Sierra, please. I spoke into her mind, lacing my words with alpha power. My abilities had never worked on her before, but I had to try. Please, come out. You can’t stay hidden in there forever.
The wolf turned up her nose and lifted her gaze to the sky. She let out a low, mournful howl. Those luminescent purple irises shone more brightly than the moon. There was something otherworldly about them, godlike. Had the goddess Luna truly imbued a piece of herself within this magnificent creature? And to what end?
I crept closer and she growled, her hackles standing on end. “We need to get back to the arena, Sierra. I know you’re in there, and I know you can hear me.” If only I could shift, surely, she’d recognize my wolf. Sierra, as your mate, I’m begging you to come with me. I called on the flimsy shadows that remained of my wolf, channeling his voice in my plea. She lowered her head, her eyes still fixed on mine. Unflinching.
I offered a hand, and she skulked closer. Sniffing the air between us she let out a snort. “It’s me, Hunter. I just want to get you out of here. Take you somewhere safe.”
She whimpered, and the violet hair on the back of her neck smoothed down. Gently, I wrapped one arm around her body, and when she didn’t resist, I pulled her into my arms avoiding the open wound a few inches below my collarbone. Flying with her in wolf form wasn’t ideal, but at this point I’d take whatever I could get. With my wing torn, I’d only be flying at half speed, but we were the only remaining competitors. I contemplated waiting it out for a few hours to allow my wounds to heal, but I preferred not to linger in vampire territory a minute longer than necessary.
As I propelled us upward on one good wing, I wondered if Tyrien knew of the true state of affairs in the Darklands of Nocturnis. The queen had done an incredible job of keeping the truth hidden within the boundaries of her territory. Or did the Etrian Assembly know as well? Surely, they wouldn’t have allowed such a thing to remain unchecked.
Shaking my head out, I tossed all thoughts of political subterfuge aside. I wasn’t the supreme alpha, and now I doubted I ever would be. Leaving Sierra meant leaving all of it behind. I focused on the warm, furry body pressed against mine. Her eyes were closed, and her soft inhales and exhales echoed against me.
Gods, I had to fix this somehow. I couldn’t leave her like this—I wouldn’t. All the pain had been too much and now she’d retreated into her wolf, leaving all human emotions behind. I knew the temptation well. I’d hidden within my own wolf on a few occasions: when the loss of my mother had bubbled to the surface, or when the threat of the oncoming curse drove me insane and then there was the last time. The last time was the longest I’d sought refuge in fur. When the curse had kicked in and my love for Sierra had been torn out of my chest. I’d remained in wolf form for weeks until Terra had finally coaxed me out. She’d convinced me I could find a way to break the curse somehow, but I had to do it in human form.
A rueful lau
gh escaped. Well, she was right. I’d found a way to break the curse but had broken myself and Sierra in the process.
The hours passed and every flap of my wings felt heavier the closer we came to Marlwoods, then to Moon Valley. I’d have to bring Sierra into the packed arena in wolf form to complete the penultimate trial. Very few people had seen her glowing wolf. What would they think now? The last thing she needed was to draw more attention or fear.
The vast arena loomed just ahead, the old stone structure a near replica of the Roman Colosseum. I cringed to think of all the death that archaic stadium must have witnessed. Angling my wings toward the earth, I slowed and readied my nerves for what came next.
For once, I was glad to be free of the debilitating emotions this moment would have typically evoked. At least I’d remain clearheaded for what was to come. I landed just outside the arena and gently lowered Wolf-Sierra to the ground. “We’re here.”
She opened one eye and yawned, stretching her front legs out.
“It’s time. You need to come out now to claim your win.”
The wolf shook her furry head and sat back on her haunches.
“You’re going to go into the arena like that? For all the residents of Moon Valley to see your special wolf?”
She chuffed, irritated, before she flashed me her fangs.
“Fine.” Throwing my hands up, I relented. “Let’s get this over with then.” I motioned for her to go first, and I was surprised when she didn’t fight me on it.
Wolf-Sierra trotted into the arena in front of me, her furry lavender tail waving proudly. Did she have any idea what she was getting into?
A chorus of gasps filled the arena as Sierra made her triumphant return. I followed behind her, my eyes intent on the crowd. Identical expressions of shock, some riddled with fear, stared back at me.
Sierra moved as if she were oblivious to it all, stalking straight up to the dais where the trial commissioner stood. Whispered mutterings filled the arena as the audience scrutinized the purple wolf. Only the flutter of approaching wings overhead silenced the anxious murmurs.
