by B C Morgan
40
Marcus
We had Norah, David, Ishira and me joining Janelle on her journey. She had forced an unwilling promise to not interfere no matter what happened, but we had to give in under threat of her going on her own.
We had also managed to get one of our mind readers along for the ride, we hadn’t thought to ask Mika, but she had been in desperate need of the distraction.
After losing both her husband and sister in the disaster, we didn’t even consider refusing her request.
We arrived just before the sun had set, and there were a lot of wolves in attendance. Hardly any of them had chosen to spectate in their human form, and we looked upon them with wariness, except from Janelle.
She hadn’t spoken much during our trip to her old home, but she wasn’t showing any signs of fear or trepidation.
Alexander had not looked pleased to see her, especially when she strode straight over to him and called her claws forth on her right hand.
“Let’s get this over with,” she said, not even attempting to hide the contempt in her voice.
Alexander just nodded and then began to strip himself free of his clothes. Janelle followed suit, while we averted our eyes to allow her some privacy, though we were the only ones.
They moved to the middle of the crowd, and both howled up into the sky.
The other wolves were pacing, although it was unclear whether it was with excitement or nerves.
It wasn’t long after their howls finished that they lunged for one another, Alexander’s razor sharp teeth only inches away from her jugular when she pulled back.
He kept trying to go for her neck, but she was fast on her paws, as she brought one up and swiped it across his face.
He growled as it connected, before swinging his head and biting down on her paw.
She staggered back and he bit down on her left leg, it buckled as his teeth pierced through her flesh.
She scurried away once he released her, and you could tell that he was smiling, he was enjoying this too much for our liking but Janelle wasn’t finished yet.
He was too busy staring at another wolf when she leapt at him and sent him hurtling into the barrier of wolves, she then sank her teeth into the back of his neck.
When she pulled her head away, she did not release her hold and fur and flesh came away in her mouth.
He was howling out in pain as she used her claws, to swipe at his face, repeatedly. She also bit him in both shoulders and one of his ankles.
She moved back, without taking her eyes off of him, and it was obvious to see that she was struggling with the idea of killing him.
Even after everything he had done, she still did not like the idea of taking away someone’s life.
“Marcus it’s not good, I just picked up Alexander’s thoughts,” said Mika, her worry dominant in her tone.
“What’s going on?” asked David, moving in closer to us.
“One of the wolves he slipped into, had something that he entrusted to them to ensure that he would not lose. He’s got poison on his claws, if he gets her with them, she will die.”
We shouted Janelle’s name, which made her turn her back on Alexander. We all stood there in horror as he staggered back onto his paws and began to make his way to her.
We tried to warn her about the poison, when she turned around he was right before her. Both wolves raised one of their paws, but only one of them got a strike in.
Epilogue
Ackley
Adrianna had just finished her evening shift in the bar she had just started working at. I always made sure that she was safe, while also maintaining a distance.
She would not have been happy or impressed about me following her, and although I knew it would look bad I still refused to leave her unprotected in this world.
She had been walking home when a figure emerged out of thin air, right in her path.
She came up short and let out a defeated groan when she came face to face with them.
“I am not a part of your world, like I told the last idiot who tried this, I cannot help you with Unya. I haven’t spoken to her since my sister died.”
“Oh, I don’t care about that. Your only purpose is to deliver a message, and you were the easiest option. You poor little human, how it must annoy you to know of our world, and know that you could never join it.”
The woman pulled something out of a sheath attached to her hip, I shouted out as I quickened my pace and charged for them, but I was too late.
The dagger was thrust straight into Adrianna, and she screamed out in pain.
“When you make it to the Underworld, let Unya know that Nyakesh sent you and that the Gods cannot wait to meet her.”
She vanished just as I got to her, I sank down to my knees and pulled Adrianna into my arms and brushed the hair out of her face with my palm.
“I don’t want to die Ackley, even when I push you both out of my life, I’m still not free.”
“I am so sorry Addy, but just know that becoming a part of the world you hate so much is the only way that you can survive.”
“It’s too late Ackley, please just stay with me.”
I nodded my head, as she nestled in closer, it didn’t take long before she became unconscious, but no matter her words I would not let her go without a fight.
I pulled her up and began to run, knowing there was only one being I could turn to. And all I could do was hope that she would not hate me if she survived this.
To be continued………..
Acknowledgments
I couldn’t have done any of this without my amazing friend and very talented PA Savannah Richey. The amazing Claire who has been sounding board on many occasions, this would not have been possible without her. Rhylie my fellow author and word wifey, your support astounds and humbles me and I’m so grateful to have you.
Last but least amazing alphas and all of my beta readers. Not only do they help me spot any mistakes, but they also give me the courage to keep on writing, so I can share it with you all.
None of this could have happened without my incredible team and I would never have met them if I hadn’t taken the leap, I will always love this series for the strength it gave me and for bringing such amazing people into my life.
Thank you to my wonderful fella, who has supported me the entire time and even though we drive each other crazy, I wouldn’t be without him. He listens to me rant and helps me anytime I get myself into a jam with my writing, thank you hubby I love you. Thanks to my my gorgeous kiddies, they love books as much as I do, and they always give me so much love. They are my little daemons and I’m so lucky to have them. And thank you to my mum, who has listened to every book and although she always tries to guess the ending, she has been a massive support and my number one fan. Thanks mum, I couldn’t have found the courage to even try this without you.
And last but not least, thank you to everyone who has stuck with me since Eternal! I appreciate you all so much and whether we’ve spoken or not, just know that you mean so much to me and I’m glad you decided to give me and my books a chance.
A Note From The Author
Thank you so much for reading Retribution, book three in the Ebony Child series. Did you enjoy it? If so, please consider leaving a review. They really do make the world of difference to us independent authors. I love every one of you. If you’d like to find out about any of my other books, series or just anything I have to say feel free to join my readers group. We have games, random conversations, teasers and so much more! And if you ever want to have a chat, I always try to respond to all messages I get sent. Thanks again for reading my book you are a total legend! I will include my links here, along with one for my newsletter. Please feel free to join as much or as little as you like and remember my black heart loves you.
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My other books:
Ebony Child Series
Eternal
Descent
Drop of Death series
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Pretender
Stand-alone books
Before She Slumbers
The 25 Men of Christmas
