A beast barrels toward them, and I’m about to burn it to the ground. But shadows slide over Frankie’s shoulders, spilling down her back and spreading into the first hint of wings. She doesn’t glance behind her—her focus is solely on the wounded warrior.
The shadows flex, sweeping outward and over the lunging beast. It collapses, black blood running from its eyes and ears. Frankie flinches like she felt something, but doesn’t look back, still focusing on the falkyrie.
The shadows seep back into her skin while I finish the beast. She didn’t realize what happened, had no idea the darkness at her back was even there.
Brynn shoves Frankie aside, white light already gathering in her palms as she clamps her hand around the falkyrie’s wound. The shove makes my blood boil, and for a split-second I’m ready to tear her head off for laying a hand on my mate, but then movement catches my eye. The last beast is dragging itself back together, bone and muscle knitting like wet rope. I cut the thought off and scorch the beast to ash instead.
For a moment, the only sound is the crackle of flames and harsh breaths of the survivors. The falkyrie I saved earlier catches my eye, giving a brief nod before helping one of her wounded sisters.
My gaze goes straight to Frankie. She stands in the middle of the carnage, her expression dazed. Her eyes search the room until they find mine. I cross the distance between us, in awe of what I saw—her shadows, spreading into wings, silently cutting down the beasts.
I pull her in, needing her close to me. “Do you even realize what you just did?” My voice comes out rough, a mixture of awe and relief. “You were incredible.”
She looks at me, confusion etched on her face. But before I can tell her what happened, a falkyrie steps over a burning beam and shouts, “Hey Demon, how long can you keep these fires blazing?”
Another calls back, laughing, “Let’s keep it going all night, we still have plenty to drink.”
A third snorts. “I can’t wait to see the look on the Queen’s face when Brynn has to explain that her rowdy guardians burned down another tavern.”
Laughter rips through the crowd, sharp and shaky after the fight, but I barely hear them. My attention is fixed on my mate. Maybe she’s closer than I thought to finding the balance she’ll need to stabilize the portal. Maybe, just maybe, we stand a chance after all.
CHAPTER 33
Frankie
“Wings?” I ask as we leave the ruined tavern behind, my boots crunching over the scorched floor. “You’re sure that’s what you saw? Not just the smoke playing tricks?”
Zarreth’s hand finds the small of my back as we walk. “Positive, and it was controlled, Frankie. They killed the beast with precision and then retreated back into your skin.”
I glance at him, trying to read his face. There’s no teasing there, only that steady way he looks at me when he’s not sure whether to be impressed or worried.
I know he wouldn't lie to me about it, but it’s still a little hard to believe. Because if he’s right, if that really happened, then maybe I’m finally starting to get a handle on the darkness. Maybe it isn’t a curse after all.
“Okay,” I say as we walk. “So how do I make it happen again? I don’t know how I did it to begin with. I wasn’t even trying.”
He glances at me, a small smile on his lips. “That’s the point. You weren’t trying. You weren’t fighting yourself. You let go.” He lowers his voice, that rough, wicked note creeping in. “The only other time you completely let go is when I take control from you. Maybe we need to add that to your training regimen."
Heat coils low in my stomach. I wouldn’t mind being tied up with his belt again…
He smiles slowly, knowing exactly what I’m thinking. “You remember how easily you give into the darkness when I’ve got you bound, don’t you?”
I bite my lip, trying to stop the ridiculous smile from spreading across my face. “As soon as we’re done visiting Jess, I might need you to remind me again.”
“I could always remind you in the shower.”
As tempting as it is, I really need to see my friend. “No way! You need to behave yourself. We’re getting clean and heading straight to the infirmary. That’s it!”
We materialize right outside of Jess’ door. My hair is wet and I’m wearing clean clothes. Zarreth is still wearing the same cocky grin he’s had on since we finished showering. I roll my eyes. Maybe we didn’texactlybehave ourselves, but his strong hands felt so good rubbing my tender muscles. It was only right that I returned the favor after he made me feel so relaxed. I lick my lips. God, he’s delicious.
Ahem!He clears his throat, raising an eyebrow. “What are you thinking about?”
I roll my eyes. “My best friend…what areyouthinking about?”
He bends over, whispering in my ear. “That sweet little sound you make when I taste your—”
“Zarreth!” I screech, heat rushing to my face while I swat at him.
He chuckles, but the sound dies as his gaze moves to the door in front of us. His arm tightens around my waist. “Hey.” His voice is gentle now. “I know it’s hard seeing her like this, but we’re going to get through it. We will find the cure and we will save her.”
