Kyle came through right after me, and without a thought, I shoved him back through and closed the portal. One movement to do that as I reached for the knife I’d started carrying with me and changed my glamour. I didn’t even make the choice—have the thought and I was moving towards the problem as I started slicing dampeners open.
It was nicer in Rome and I’d ditched my jacket, so the short sleeves were easy access. And because I was smart, the new onesI’d had Elijah add to my stomach. Those were cut in a flash, gasping as my power returned to me.
Then I was out of time, reaching where I felt pain. Rage filled me when I found Ricco on the ground and his people restrained.
I couldn’t even fully assess the situation before someone was coming at me too fast. I reached out for them first and used fire to burn them as I crushed the arm I grabbed. Using their momentum against them, I threw them behind me.
But then there was another. Too old. Too fast.
I was grabbed, but not completely restrained, and I burned them as I snagged my arm back. Grasping their neck, I squeezed with all I had and felt it snap under my fingers.
Two more were there and one I kicked in the head full force, breaking his skull in a way that no living being could recover from. It resembled a popped basketball instantly, but I barely noticed, taking on the next person. I shot my hand out into the woman’s throat just to buy myself time. It didn’t slow her down or hurt her as much as I’d hoped.
Fuck.
I flipped out of the way and used the knife to cut dampeners under my pants before she was back on me. My power rushed to me and she had no chance.
Still there were more.
I cut more dampeners on my other leg but then lost the knife. It was enough though. Not enough to change forms, but enough to know I could handle what I needed to.
No matter how difficult it was. A blur of fighting and blood. One was there and gone. One handled but not fully and then another moving faster than any I had fought.
No holding back for once. This wasn’t sparring and it wasn’t one target that was terrifyingly new and strong. This was an array of too much, overwhelming, and much better than I was used to.
But I won. In the end, they were all dead or at least broken as I gasped for air, trying to reach for more energy should I need it. I would if I had to, but it felt over as I knelt on one knee and tried to wipe blood out of my eyes to keep sharp.
“Impressive,” a familiar voice purred. “Truly impressive.”
I wiped again and swallowed a painful groan as I looked to my left. I couldn’t hide my shock as the crazy powerful super ancient female from China who I thought was a friendly was standing there assessing me.
“Oh, don’t look so betrayed, child,” she chuckled darkly. “You just killed a few dozen ancients who weren’t going to kill you and we’re not angry with you.”
“Ricco,” I coughed.
Shock filled her eyes but then something else. “You truly are a loyal one. He’s fine. I’ll kiss the bump he’ll have, I promise.”
Then the pain I’d sensed was gone. It had been fake.
“You played me,” I hissed.
“No,” she said firmly as she came towards me. She froze at whatever she got off of me, probably that I would rip her head off. She held her hands up in surrender and then looked past me.
“Jasmine!” Elijah roared as he raced over.
“Your adopted daughter is fine, but we have many,manyquestions,old friend,” someone said from my right. “How could one so young hold this much power? She killed three dozen ancients of different species, all over two thousand. And we saw her close a portal that shouldn’t be possible.”
“I want to know why she cut into her own skin and more power flared up,” someone else said firmly. “What is she?”
“Whatever she is, she is to be protected,” that woman said firmly. She nodded when I met her gaze. “I swear to you it was nothing but a test.”
“No, I felt their intent,” I coughed, relieved when Elijah reached me. “They weren’t fucking around, I swear.”
“You were blinded by my power to start, but then you hurt the pride of fools and they paid the price,” that second voice said. “That’s why we’re not angry. The goal was not to kill you, simply test you.”
“Who are you to test one of ours?” Ally demanded, her voice cold and deadly.
“You have a weapon unlike any we have seen and that is something that can affect all of us, so don’t act like—” he argued.
