Page 110 of Protect Me
I grin. A carnal smile that promises a slaughter. “Every single one of you fuckers is exactly the same, you know that? Warlocks are so fucking arrogant that they don’t ever know their true place on the food chain.”
“I know my place,” he retorts as he snaps his fingers. Power flares to life in the palms of his hands. Mild worry streaks through me because, if this fucker was ballsy enough to come alone, it means he’s got some actual power up his sleeve. Which is why I desperately need to get that door open so my brothers can join the party.
“It’s way the hell above yours,” he adds. “After all, I had her first.”
“And I’ll have her forever,” I reply.
“No,” Robert says. “You won’t.” Magic slams into me, knocking me back a few steps. But I don’t stay down. I flip up to my feet and sprint toward him, blades out. Shifting will only make me a larger target, and I’m deadly enough without the claws.
He sends more magic flying toward me, but I dodge it, sliding down to the ground. I send a dagger flying end over end toward the door, burying it directly in the line of his rune.
The magic falters, and the door flies open. Duncan and Bracken shift the moment their feet touch the ground.
They sprint toward him, feet padding, while I rush for Sway. “Hey, baby, sorry I’m late.”
I rip the shirt over my head, trying not to focus on the blood covering her body as I cut her wrists free from the cord binding them then slip the fabric over her. She wraps her arms around me, sobbing as tremors shake her body.
“I’m sorry I came up here. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, love, we’ll handle him.” I carry her to the stairs, ready to get her to safety, when the door slams shut.
I whirl, Sway in my arms. Duncan is on his side, his lion’s breathing ragged. Blood soaks his side. Fear churns in my gut even as I can still sense him through our pride bond. Bracken stalks toward the fucker, teeth bared in a low growl, but Robert ignores him and glares at me.
His face is bloody, his chest damn near shredded, but magic swirls around him, snapping like lightning. “Do you really think I am that easy to kill?” he bellows, spit flying out of his mouth. He whirls on Bracken, magic snapping at his fingertips.
Bracken readies to strike.
Sway slumps against me. Shifting her in my arms so I can free my other hand, I send my second blade flying, and it buries into the back of Robert’s hand. He yells in pain but uses his other hand to send a web of power surging toward my brother. Bracken dodges—but it catches his shoulder, and he roars in agony.
The pain slams into me then. I set Sway aside and prepare to shift. Robert rips the knife free and sends it flying toward me. I reach out and grab it, my hand closing around the hilt. Then, I rush toward him.
I promised Sway I’d make him pay.
That he’d suffer for what he’s put her through.
Sprinting full force, I duck down to avoid another shot of power from Robert’s only good hand then throw the blade straight into the fucker’s gut. He goes down to his knees and I stalk closer, standing right in front of him.
He seethes through clenched teeth, one hand wrapped around the grip of my dagger, the injured one cradled against his chest. “Pathetic fucking animal,” he spits out. Blood drips from his mouth.
“I’d rather be an animal than a fucking monster like you.”
He chokes on a chuckle. “I. Am. Power.”
“Not looking too powerful now,” I spit back.
Bracken stumbles over to me, having shifted back to his human form. “Why is this fucker still breathing?” His shoulder is slick with blood, but otherwise, he looks fine.
“Because I want him to know that, even as we swore to Sway we’d make him suffer, he’s getting off easy.” I glare at Robert. “I would rip you limb from limb and enjoy every moment of your suffering. But she deserves the peace of knowing you’re no longer breathing.”
“She will destroy you all,” Robert spits out. “She’s a fucking parasite.” His gaze shifts over my shoulder to where Sway sits, her eyes glistening with tears.
It infuriates me.
“You’re the fucking parasite,” Bracken growls. “Taking her power like it belongs to you. She is a gift to be cherished, and you’re a fucking bug to be squashed.”
Robert snarls, releases the handle, and raises his hand. In a blur of movement, I drag the blade across his throat. Blood spills free, and Bracken slams his foot into Robert’s head. He goes down to the ground, choking on what’s left of his life.
I don’t wait for him to fall silent before I rush back over to Sway. I gather her into my arms and carry her over to where Duncan lies on the ground, his breathing ragged. The moment I set her beside him, he shifts back to his human form, groaning as he does.