A boom echoes above and a red burst of light paints the sky—the first signal that someone found Ulric or Raelle. A fraction of the worry I carry lifts from me. I’m physically lighter, allowing my legs to move quicker. My body is more agile as the brush closes in on us.I slide and skirt past each torn-filled branch, determined to be the one that releases the second signal.
A crack of lightning illuminates the crop of trees to our left, and a bird screeches before twigs snap. To the right, the wind kicks up. The force is so strong that my wet leather jacket whips around me. My soldiers have released their power. The Allaji know we are here, and the war has officially begun.
I run with Cohn on my heels, leaping over rocks and shrubs. No longer needing to hide, I call out for Raelle. Let the fuckers come for me. I refuse to waste any more time playing it safe.
A moan comes from the brush ahead. I rush toward it and find a naked man curled in on himself. Blood oozes from a gnash on the side of his head. The wound is a clean cut. One that can only be made by a blade.
“Ulric! Raelle!” I yell.
Cohn and I barrel straight through the thick wall of vines. I pay no mind to the thorns ripping through my exposed skin and sinking into my leathers. The Statera itself and its legions of otherworldly creatures couldn’t stop me.
We step into a clearing, and I’m halted by the most terrifyingly beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.Raelle wields a sword, charging for a host of shifters. Without a second thought, I lift my hand and expel a ball of flame that crashes into her target. The animals erupt into a chorus of wails accompanied by the stench of burning fur. She spins on her heels with her eyes wide.
The entire world slows, almost completely stops. I swear I can count the smattering of freckles on her nose or study the different shades of brown in her irises. She’s alive and fighting.
“Kyron?” she whispers in pure disbelief.
My heart flutters as the most gorgeous smile lights her face. Her body is splattered with blood and covered in mud. The sword slips from her hand, and she rushes for me. I open my arms for her but stop short as a black cat steps out of the shadows. It limps on its back leg, but that doesn’t stop it from moving toward Raelle. The anger I’ve held in for weeks bubbles to the surface. These animals took what didn’t belong to them. They’ve tortured and taunted and enslaved. And for that, my hatred is a deep pit that has no room for remorse. I lift my hand, ready to make its fate the same as the shifters smoldering on theground. The flames form at my palm and my arm is knocked to the side. The fire ignites the trees to the left.
“No, Kyron!” Raelle breaks free of my arms and hurries to the jaguar, standing between me and it. “Ashavee is a friend. She helped us escape and needs to leave with us.”
“All right,” I whisper, swallowing down the jealousy simmering inside me as she brushes her hand over Ashavee’s head and looks her over for injuries. I know it’s irrational, but I want all of Raelle’s attention. I’ve been deprived of it for too long.
Pushing past my envy, I take inventory of her body as she walks toward me. Her clothes are hardly that, exposing her filthy skin and cuts along her legs. Ribbons wrap around her thighs, holding daggers in place. Every step she takes is heavy with exhaustion. She’s faced horrors I can’t imagine, but that strong, unbreakable soul still shines beneath the hurt and grime.
Fuck, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I wrap my arms around her, and she grips the front of my jacket like she doesn’t plan on letting go. My lips press to the top of her head and my hold tightens. She leans into me, her muscles relaxing. That small show of relief drains every ounce of worry from my being.
“I knew you’d come for me,” she says.
I chuckle, bringing her fingers from my jacket to my lips. I kiss each tip. “Always, princess.”
“Always,” she repeats.
“We need to get out of here, Your Majesty,” Cohn says, looking up at the sky.
Birds swarm overhead. Their large bodies appear between the openings in the treetops. I can’t help but to picture Zekel flying with them. I want to shoot him out of the sky and torture him for the harm he has caused. His death will be slow and painful, and I’ll relish every moment of it.
I look at the wounded jaguar and say to Cohn, “Stay close to Ashavee.”
“Will do,” he mumbles.
I remove a flare from my pocket before shrugging off my jacket. Holding it open, I help Raelle put it on. I aim the flare toward a break in the trees and ignite my finger, placing it to the wick. It whistles as it soars into the sky and explodes into a bright red flame. With the second signal deployed, everyone should make their way back to the ship.
“Did you see Ulric? I lost him during our escape,” she asks, falling into step with me.
“Another team released a signal shortly before we found you. I believe they have him. Are there any other Cyffreds on this island?”
“Just Ulric and me,” she says, sadness lacing her words.
This rescue mission is just the beginning. I won’t stop until I bring every Cyffred home. Every family will know the joy I feel now, but that’s a thought for the future. Right now, I need to get Raelle on the ship and away from Zekel.
The sounds of battle fill the night: blasts of powers, the clank of swords, and dying screams. My people are at a disadvantage against the predatory animals. Not only can many of them see at night, but they can track our scent. They most likely knew we were here the moment we stepped foot on the shore. My soldiers are sacrificing themselves, and all I can do is pray that as many as possible make it out alive.
“Your Majesty!”
Cohn’s booming voice brings me out of my head. I push Raelle behind me, and her exhausted body follows my direction. A pack of wolves saunters out of the trees. Cohn rushes to my side, creating a wall to protect Raelle. Ashavee’s hackles raise, and a deep growl vibrates through her body. Cohn draws his sword instead of using the fire mechanism built into his blackbody armor. I hold my weapon in one hand and call forth my flames with the other. The wolves snarl and snap, waiting for the perfect opening to drag one of us to the ground.
