The chaos, the roars, the screams… gone.
The only sound left is the crackle of the storm fading into the distance. I stand there, heart racing, sword trembling in my hand. My breath catches in my throat as the weight of what just happened sinks in. For the first time, it feels like I’m actually awake. I’m not sure if I’m ready for it, but it’s here, and there’s no turning back.
From the corner of my eye, I see Vanessa stumbling out from the alleyway, her movements unsteady as she leans against the wall for support. Then she collapses to her knees, her body clearly drained. Nalaka rushes forward, steadying her.
She did this.
Van’s lightning, the sheer power of it, bought us the time we needed. The demons falter at the edge of the woods, their movements hesitant now, the tide of the battle shifting in our favour. This is the opening we needed.
And I’m not about to waste it.
53
Avilyna
DOUBLE ALL-NIGHTER
I’m aboutto charge forward, instincts blazing, but something grabs me. Whirling around, hand half-raised, ready to strike. I freeze, because I see them, those ocean eyes.
His lycan self is pulsing just beneath the surface. Controlled, but barely. I’m honestly surprised Kai hasn’t fully shifted. My gaze moves over him instinctively, searching for injuries. He’s fine, at least on the outside; the bruises I’ve seen earlier are now gone, the proof that he used his healing ability.
Before I can say anything, a massive black wolf barrels past us, all muscle and fury. Caleb follows close behind. No hesitation, running straight into danger. Wyll’s jaw clamps onto the demon’s throat, a flash of power bursting from him. He’s not just fighting; he’s using his lycan essence, forcing the demon back into Netherworld, as Vanessa did with her lightning.
“Vi, you’re injured.” Kai’s hard voice snaps me back to him.
“I’m okay, let’s not waste time.” I shove out of his grasp as I see Nalaka follow the others, charging with her trademark spear in hand. But Kai doesn’t let me go far. Grabbing me by the waist, he hoists me onto his shoulder before walking straight to where Sakura is attending to Van.
“Put me down! I’m fine, Kai.”
“You’re bleeding, that’s exactly the opposite of fine.” Gently putting me down on some makeshift bench, I try to get back up, but a firm hold on my shoulders pushes me back down. Lowering himself to my level.
“We can’t lose the lead.” I declare annoyed.
“And I can’t lose you.” Kai looks at me straight in the eyes, sincerity shining through. His palm reaches for my left cheek, grazing the wound gently.
That gets my attention.
“Let Sakura take a look at you, and once you’re patched up, if the backup hasn't arrived yet, then you can come back to the battlefield.” Feeling an argument coming out of me, Kai doesn’t let me put one word out, “That’s an order, soldier. Do you copy?” His harsh tone and the severity of his gaze spread warmth straight to my core. Kvirr, I shouldn’t be turned on right now.
I’m not.
I’m definitelynot.
“Understood?” Kai snaps, and all I can manage in response is a muffledmmm-hmm, the only thing keeping me from completely bursting into flames.
“Good girl,” he whispers in my ear, before kissing my temple. Kvirr, give a girl a chance. But my torment is cut short as Kai’s strong hand goes through my hair, grabbing a fistful of it. Pulling me toward his lips, mouth crashing into mine. All the desperation is shared through the contact as we breathe the same air.
And yet it’s not enough.
His other hand rests under my chin, grabbing my jaw, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. But Kai lets go of me just as quickly. Kissing the bridge of my nose, he then strides away, casting one last glance over his shoulder. A smirk tugs at his lips before walking straight into the warzone.
His steps turn into a sprint before he leaps, and shifts mid-air into an immense white wolf, crashing down between the hordes of demons. Kai’s jaw snaps shut around a norous, tearing it clean, the sound wet, before it disappears in a cloud of dust. Another leap, and he spins, claws catching a monster mid-air, sending its body crashing into a crumbling wall.
“Oh girl, you’ve got it bad.” Vanessa’s words snap me back.
“Shut up.”
“Mmm, I suppose he does too,” Sakura muses, as if commenting on the weather. “Kai never used to bend the rules. Very rigid, like a particularly stubborn tree. But then you came along, and now he’s letting the wind move him a little. That’s usually a sign of something important happening or a storm. Hard to say which, really.” She hums a soft tune as she tips a potion to my lips, not even pausing her ramble. "I’ve been around the Institute for years, and he’s never once stepped out of line, not until you. It’s rather sweet. You might be his exception."
