The Ravager Chronicles: The Complete Series

by Sara Page

“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between the three of them.

  “I don’t know,” Striker frowns thoughtfully. “I’ll go see.”

  Before he can even take a step away from me, the door bursts open and a guard—his uniform torn and his face bloodied—stumbles inside.

  “We’re under attack!” the guard declares.

  By who? I wonder as the room around me erupts into chaos.

  Guards surround the king. Other guards corner and start questioning the injured guard.

  Beast stands, hauling me up with him. Striker and Vis block the front of me.

  “Esha and Ellany,” I gasp. Where are my babies?

  “Don’t worry, Ameia, they’re with your aunt. We’ll make our way to them immediately,” Beast reassures me.

  I peer up into his eyes, my heart thundering behind my ribs in panic.

  I have the most awful feeling about this. It’s too much of a coincidence to happen so soon after we just watched what happened to Terrea.

  Tendrils of cold dread wrap around my chest.

  “I’m sure whatever is going on isn’t as serious as it seems,” Striker says as he takes point, pushing us through the crowd. “We’ve ramped up security. It would take an army to breach the palace.”

  Another roar sounds out and my stomach sinks like a stone.

  That’s Warrick, I know it is. No one quite sounds like him, like a demonic lion, and he sounds furious.

  “Vis?” I ask.

  He glances back at me, over his shoulder. Our eyes meet and in his I see my own concern reflected back at me.

  Shit. This isn’t good.

  Beast’s hand tightens around mine as we part the sea of bodies.

  “Move,” he barks out and other Ravagers scramble to obey.

  We’re one of the first to reach the doors. The others in the room are too confused or too afraid to leave.

  We step into the hallway and it’s quiet, too quiet. There’s no one else about.

  Beast forces me to a stop. Vis and Striker survey the area before Striker gives his nod of approval.

  “Let’s move,” Striker orders.

  Turning to the left, we pick up a brisk pace, walking, almost running as we head for the private wing of the palace. I feel a moment of relief as I realize my daughters are most likely safe. Whatever is happening must be going on near the entrance.

  Just as we’re rounding the corner, Warrick’s roar sounds out behind us.

  Vis skids to a sudden halt and I crash into his back.

  “Keep moving,” Beast snaps.

  Vis ignores Beast and turns, gazing down the empty hallway with a look of deep concern on his face. I know he’s worried about Warrick just as much as I am, if not more.

  “Go to him,” I urge. “Help him.”

  “Ameia,” Beast grumbles with irritation.

  Vis looks at me for only a second before nodding his head and taking off down the hall in the opposite direction, running.

  He doesn’t make it to the end before the fight spills into the hallway, reaching us.

  “Fuck!” Striker curses, spinning around.

  Guards stumble backwards and Vis almost crashes into them because he was running so fast.

  “Back!” The guards call out. “Get back!”

  I can’t see who the guards are fighting before Beast steps in front of me, blocking me with his body.

  The sound of metal connecting with metal vibrates off the walls, ringing in my ears, and the floor hums beneath our feet under the force of too many impacts.

  “Take her,” Beast orders over his shoulder. “Get them out of here.”

  “Wait? What?!” I cry out as Striker grabs me by the arm and begins to drag me away from Beast.

  What the hell is going on? It’s all happening so damn fast.

  Beast takes off, chin dropping, eyes blazing as he charges into the mix.

  “Come on, Ameia!” Striker implores me as I stumble stupidly, dragging behind him.

  “But…”

  Half of me wants to get away and the other half of me wants to run after Beast and Vis. I can’t just leave them…

  “We have to get to Esha and Ellany!” Striker says angrily, shocking me back into awareness.

  Shit. He’s right.

  Nodding my head with new determination, I grip his hand tightly and we both start running.

  I don’t know what we’re going to do, what’s the plan, I just know that I need to reach my daughters so I can protect them.

  We round a corner, then another. As we reach the private wing of the palace, I make the mistake of glancing behind me. We’ve been running hard, my lungs are seriously struggling to keep up with my rapid breathing, yet the fight has still managed to keep up with us.

  We’ve only been able to keep a hallway between us and the distance is closing quick.

  “Striker!” I call out in alarm.

  “Don’t look back, Ameia. Don’t fucking look back,” he urges me and then yanks me forward, forcing my legs to work harder to keep up with him.

  We make it down another hallway then another and yet another before I’m worried I might just fall over and die from exhaustion. My body was not made to run like this.

  When I hear my aunt calling out my name above the grunting, clashing sounds of battle I almost cry in relief.

  “Ameia!” my aunt screams above the madness.

  Her voice gives me that last boost of strength I needed. Knowing that she’s just ahead of us, within earshot, gives me the strength to keep moving, to see this to the end.

  “Fuck!” Striker suddenly roars out and spins around, shoving me behind him.

  I cry out, stumbling and falling to my hands and knees.

  The floor is made out of a flexible material and gives beneath my knees but the impact still hurts like a bitch.

  Above me, Striker is grunting, engaging in hand to hand combat with a Ravager I don’t recognize.

  What the hell? I wonder, as I scramble to my feet. We’re being attacked by Ravagers? I thought we were getting invaded or something.

  “Go, Ameia,” Striker orders before slamming his fist into the other guy’s chin.

  The Ravager’s head snaps back, but he remains on his feet. I turn on my heel and limp towards the sound of my aunt’s voice as fast as I can.

  I round another corner before I lay eyes on her. Immediately, I burst into tears of relief to see her holding both Esha and Ellany in her arms with a squad of guards providing protection.

  “Ameia!” she cries out. “Thank the stars!”

  Grogan rushes forward from the squad of guards, offering me his assistance. Wrapping his arm around me, he allows me to use him as a crutch while he asks, “Are you injured?”

  “I fell and hurt my knees. I should be fine in a couple of minutes,” I pant.

  “I’m sorry, Ameia, we don’t have a couple of minutes,” Lorune cries out as she continues to rush down the hallway. “We must go.”

  “Do you want me to carry you?” Grogan asks.

  I shake my head but my aunt cries out, “Yes!”

  “No,” I argue and force myself to shuffle faster. “I’ll be as good as new in a couple of minutes.”

  Grogan hesitates, looking nervously between Lorune and me.

  I give him a nasty look just daring him to try it.

  He opens his mouth to say something but then little Esha starts wailing and a moment later Ellany joins her.

  Lorune clicks her tongue and makes soothing noises, trying to comfort them as best as she can but they keep on crying. They want their mommy.

  My breasts ache and I try to remember how long it’s been since they’ve eaten. It’s been at least a couple of hours. Determined to catch up with them, I push myself harder and almost reach them.

  “No!” Someone roars out behind us and I don’t have to look back to know the melee has almost caught up with us.

  “What is going on?” I ask Grogan. “Who’s attacking us?”

  Eyes starin
g intensely in front of us, he doesn’t even glance at me as he answers. “The unmated males.”

  “What? Why?”

  “They’re sick.”

  “Run, Ameia! Run!” Vis suddenly cries out behind us and I can’t help it, I have to look back.

  Ravagers are squeezed in the hallway, fighting with fists and weapons, but I can’t tell who’s friend or foe. It’s utter madness.

  “I’m sorry, princess,” Grogan apologizes before swinging me up into his arms and throwing me over his shoulder.

  The guy doesn’t miss a step.

  My face slams into his spine as he takes off running.

  I try to push up, to get a better look at what’s going on, but he’s running so fast it’s all I can to do to brace myself to keep from slamming against his back.

  In front of me, I can hear the girls crying and I take some comfort in knowing that somehow they’re moving just as fast.

  Gradually, the sounds of battle begin to fade behind us. We take three turns before Grogan begins to slow and then all at once we stop.

  Lowering me to my feet, he apologizes again. “Very sorry, princess.”

  I nod my head at him, I’m too grateful to be angry with him. “It’s fine, Grogan. Thank you.”

  Spinning on my heel, I take in my new surroundings before rushing ahead, pushing my way to my aunt.

  “Ameia,” she says with relief, panting and thrusting Esha into my arms.

  I suck in a deep breath, holding my emotions back as I hug her warm little body against my chest.

  “Ellany?” I ask and a guard turns.

  I’m so disturbed to see her in a strange Ravager’s arms after all the fighting I just witnessed I almost snatch her from his big purple hands.

  “Your highness,” the guard says as he gently offers me Ellany, stepping back only once he’s sure I have her safely in my grip.

  Cradling both girls against my breasts, I turn to Lorune and ask, “What’s going on? What’s the plan?”

  “We’re boarding the Siren,” she says, pointing towards the entrance ramp to a large ship.

  We must be in the royal hangar, I realize, which would explain all the wide open space and the open roof above us.

  “We’re leaving Blackspire?” I ask, swallowing back my distress.

  This is the only place in the known galaxy where the Other Side can’t be reached and vice versa.

  The only place I feel safe from him.

  “Yes, unfortunately we must,” she sighs. “The entire planet has gone mad.”

  Shit.

  “Ameia! Lorune!” Celeste calls out, waving at us from the top of the Siren’s entrance ramp.

  “Come, let’s board so we’re prepared for a quick takeoff. We don’t have much time,” Lorune says calmly, and I let her take the lead, following behind her.

  Esha and Ellany squirm in my arms, tugging at my blouse and rooting for my breasts. I speak softly to them to calm their whimpering. I’d feed them but at this moment it’s just too risky. They’ll have to wait a few minutes.

  The fighting has already reached the hangar by the time I reach the top of the ramp.

  I turn to watch the insanity.

  Ravagers spill into the building from the hallway. I can’t tell who is friend or foe, everyone is dressed the same. Guard against guard. Civilian against civilian. For all I know it could be brother against brother.

  I don’t understand what’s going on. How did this happen?

  Why are they even fighting?

  “Get inside,” Grogan nudges me gently but I shake my head in his direction.

  “I’m waiting for my guys.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I see him scowl with disapproval but he takes a spot beside me and doesn’t try to force the issue. Honestly, I feel safer with him beside me. He’s big and strong, and I know he’ll protect my babies.

  “Any sign of Keede or the king?” Lorune asks anxiously.

  I search the small crowd that is quickly growing and growing. So much violence, so much anger. Fists flying. Blood splattering. Bodies falling.

  It’s so unreal, I can barely believe what I’m seeing. Is the world ending? Has the universe gone utterly mad?

  “Not yet,” I say, frantically seeking Beast, Striker, Vis or Warrick.

  Where are they? They were right behind me…

  Did something happen to them?

  “It will be all right,” Celeste says softly, coming to stand beside me. “I know it will.”

  I nod my head at her though I’m not sure I agree.

  How can any of this become all right? This is the very definition of wrong.

  “There!” she suddenly calls out in excitement and points to the front of the fray.

  My eyes follow the direction of her finger and I suck in a sharp breath. Spilling out of the doorway is the group of guards that were guarding King Ros in the communication room.

  The guards are working hard with their fists and clubs to keep the attackers at bay, allowing the king to enter the hanger. Following closely behind the King is Beast and Striker then Vis and Warrick.

  The girls start to fuss in my arms, crying out in anger as they tug on my blouse but my heart is singing with relief.

  To see them gives me hope. We’re going to be okay. We’re all going to make it out of this.

  “See,” Celeste starts, her own voice light with relief. “I told you—“

  Suddenly the crowd of attackers pouring out of the hallway surges forward, overwhelming the king, his guards, and my mates.

  A blood thirsty roar sounds out and it’s not coming from Warrick. No, it’s coming from all the attackers at once, the sound both horrifying and surreal.

  Warrick responds back with his own vicious roar and swings out, knocking down the attackers in front of him like a row of tiles. Beast and Striker fight side by side, defending the king. While Vis seems to be working in tandem with Warrick, using the bigger guy more as shield as he thrusts from behind him.

  I still can’t tell what distinguishes the attackers from the others. How can they even tell who is friend or foe?

  Suddenly Striker stumbles backwards and Beast is facing two on one by himself.

  It all happens so fast I feel my heart jump into my throat. Beast’s hands lash out, fast and furious, but there’s only so much he can block when he has four fists coming back at him against his two.

  He takes a fist to the stomach then a fist to the jaw. His head snaps back. Fearing the worst, I scream out. The girls still in my arms, quieting, and I feel myself stepping forward only to be stopped.

  Beast falls to his knees and another fist connects with his head, causing it to snap backward again while he takes a boot to the gut.

  “No!” I’m screaming, trying to push forward against the thing holding me back.

  My eyes are locked on Beast and I’m afraid to look away. Afraid that I’ll lose him.

  Striker rises up behind Beast but then he’s attacked from the side and forced to defend himself.

  My worst nightmare is playing out in front of me and I’m helpless to stop it. I can’t just rush in there, even if I didn’t have the girls. I have nothing to fight with. I have no way to him.

  Beast takes several more hits to the head and I watch in horror as he seems to waver on his knees. His face is a bloody mess. His hands come up but it’s a weak effort, he’s no longer even trying to defend himself.

  “Drek!” I scream out.

  He can’t give up, he can’t. We need him.

  I can’t lose him, not like this.

  With everything I have inside of me I will him up. To get his feet. To fight like the beast I know he is.

  Warrick bellows and the two that were attacking Beast are knocked back with a sweep of his huge arm. Charging forward, he uses the horns on his head and the massive fists on his hands to clear an area around Beast.

  My knees go weak, almost giving out on me.

  Thank the stars.

  Vis follows in aft
er Warrick, guarding his back.

  Seconds tick by and three by three Warrick dispatches the enemies pressing in. Unfortunately, more and more pour through the hallway, quickly replacing the fallen.

  There are more of them than there are of us, and this battle is getting uglier and uglier by the second.

  I can’t take my eyes off of Beast, willing him to get to his feet. He’s surrounded by Warrick, Vis and Striker, shielded by their protection, but I know they can only keep it up for so long.

  The king and his men continue to work their way back, towards the ramp, clearing a path for my guys, but Warrick, Vis, and Striker are not moving. They’re remaining with Beast.

  Finally, Striker works his way back to Beast’s side and manages to fend off his attacker while helping Beast get back to his feet.

  I hold my breath as I watch Beast lean back on his heels as if he’s going to fall back down but thankfully he gets his balance, straightening.

  With Striker’s help, Beast moves backwards, providing what little help he can. Warrick and Vis also begin to work their way back. The spots they clear in front of them filling in quickly.

  Seconds pass but the king reaches the ramp and his men ascend with him.

  “Princess Ameia,” Grogan pleads from beside me. “Please, you and the girls must go inside.”

  I try to shake him off, realizing he’s what’s been holding me back all this time. “Just a minute…”

  I’m not heading in until I’m sure all four of my mates have made it safely to the ship. If they’re not leaving, I’m not leaving.

  “Then at least allow me to take Ellany and—“

  “No,” I say firmly and turn away from him. Irritated that he’s distracting me.

  He huffs and bristles beside me but I ignore him. If he picks me up I swear I’ll scream and fight him.

  Beast, Striker, Vis and Warrick have finally reached the bottom of the ramp but they can’t ascend it without the attackers following.

  There appears to be some debate about what to do before the king’s personal guard make their way back down the ramp, finally lending their aid.

  “Princess,” Grogan implores again. “They’ve reached the ramp and they’re safe. Will you now please come inside with me?”

  I linger another moment, watching with my own eyes as Beast stumbles up the ramp with Striker.

  Warrick does one last sweep with his arms, knocking an arc of the attacking group down.