Destroy them.The darkness within her fanned the building rage as fangs cut through her aching gums.
He groaned, leg twitching.
“Back’s not broken either. Good.” Her eyes squeezed shut, trying to stay calm as the bloodlust grew.
But he could have died. The darkness snarled, pressure building beneath her fingernails until the claws broke through the skin, black and taloned.
Blood pounded in her ears.
It was too late. She needed to break someone apart, devour them. Her vision was going dark, tainted red. Her nails scraped the stone beside his ribs, unintentional, and far too close. She drew her hand back fast, crouching lower.
No. Not him. Her forehead pressed into his shoulder.
Not him.
“Don’t move.” Her cheek grazed his. Word barely audible. Barely human. “Do not move until I get back. Your back or neck could be seriously fucked.”
“What?” he groaned. “Where—?”
“I’m going to manage the fucking threat,” she growled, sitting back on her heels.
Kaelith’s brow furrowed. He blinked hard, then opened his eyes again. They tracked sluggishly until they found her face. And widened. Just a fraction.
She knew what he saw.
Fangs bared. Eyes gone black. Claws tipped and twitching.
But he didn’t flinch.
“Kill them for me, would you?” The sigh passed his lips before his eyes closed again.
“I do not need tobe carried, pet.”
Kaelith’s tongue flicked out, tracing along the curve of her neck, tasting the blood that still streaked down her skin. Not hers. It was from one of the men she’d killed.
His arm was slung over her shoulders, most of his body sagging against her back as she half-dragged him through the shadows.
“If you wanted your hands on me…” he murmured hot against her skin.
“Dammit, Kae.”
She dropped him, stepping away before he could react.
He grunted, surprise flashing across his face even as his body twisted, landing in a crouch, one hand catching the ground to balance.
“Now is not the time for your—” Heat bloomed low in her abdomen, traitorous and infuriating, but she pushed it down.
Footsteps. Close.
“Shit.” Rynna’s faced the sound. Mira’s dwelling was just up the path, and there weren’t many who walked it this late.
“She’s coming.” She grabbed Kaelith by the collar, yanking him back to his feet. “Let me do the talking.”
“Always so rough.” He smirked, brushing at his sleeves like he wasn’t covered in rock dust and dried blood.
Mira rounded the corner.
“Rynna?” Her voice caught, then steadied. “And Kaelith. What are you doing out at this—” She stopped short, eyes narrowing on Rynna.
