“It won’t be stubbornness,” I hissed, stepping into the next strike, “or rage that kills me.”
Ronan’s eyes caught mine, a guise of calm, even in the chaos. His smirk arched wickedly. “That’s exactly what I’m betting on.”
No matter how many men we cut down, more came running from the trees. Obrann must have emptied his ranks, sent every last one to drag us back.
Or to kill us.
But if he knew, if he understood, he’d never have chosen battle. Because every strike, every scream, every fall fed the fire in my veins.
The Viper and I, together for once, craved the same thing.
My body danced, a chorus made of steel, anger honing to grace. The next fool stepped into my path, sword half lifted. My dagger left my hand before he’d even blinked, splitting his skull.
He dropped like a stone.
I pressed my weight into his chest as I tore it free, savoring the sound it made against his bones. The nix sang with every attack, its own toxin sinking into flesh with the slightest scratch. Men dropped screaming, incapacitated, but it wasn’t enough.
Not for me. Not for the curse.
Even as their throats opened beneath my hand, even as their hearts stopped, I wanted more suffering.Wewanted more.
Ronan’s dark form sifted to my side, reforming where he had vanished when I had gone to find the others.
Ford had still been with the girl, huddled away, pale as ash, his shield flickering. He had tried to revive his magic as much as he could, but the Bale was too close. The core was too weak.
Steel clashed as another Bright lunged from the smoke before I could find Elva or Callum. I ducked low, slashing through his gut before his blade could find my throat.
Ronan’s shadow fell across me, his sword cutting clean through the next one that came too close, blood spattering across his jaw.
“You’re bleeding,” I said, breathless, watching the hint of ruby slide down his temple.
His eyes never left the next target. “So are you,” he said.
It was easy to decipher the difference between a normal Fae’s watered-down blood, and Ronan’s that carried spice and heat.
I wasn’t sure how he could smell mine when I hadn’tbeen—
Oh. Damn.
My fingers traced the new cut across my chin. How did I not feel that?
Darkness stretched its spine, uncoiling in my chest as my dagger drove through another soldier’s chest seconds before his brute force rammed through me.
I glanced back at Ronan. “Save the concern for someone who needs it.”
“You pointed out my scratch.”
“Trust me,” I scoffed. “That wasn't a concern, only observation.”
He smirked, that infuriating glint catching in his eyes even as he wiped blood from his cheek. “You’re welcome to look away.”
Perfect. Now he thinks I’m staring. Which I was...like a feral idiot. I debated turning my blade to him but thought better of it.
Instead, I asked, “Where’s Elva?”
Inessa and Kanoa crashed beside us into the fray, siblings in perfect tandem, steel twining like one body, one soul. A brute’s ribcage cracked under Kanoa’s fist, another followed suit, clutching his gaping stomach from Inessa’s strike.
None of them stood a chance.
