The moment Diamond sees me step onto the roof of the War Castle with my mate, he stomps a horseshoe impatiently, shattering what I’m assuming is very expensive flooring. He’s clearly eager to join his brothers in battle, and I’m the one delaying his fun.
Angel’s white stallion agrees with Diamond, spreading his majestic golden wings wide to show us he’s ready for some action.
From our high point, I watch the first enemy platoon ripthrough our portals and descend on the battlefield.
Our warriors stand ready. The anger of enemy feet on our sacred ground radiates off them, fueling their need to show the world what the Tetrad kingdom can do.
A thunderclap cracks above, and I lift my head to a sky bleeding red for the first time. Heavy black clouds smother the stars as if protecting them from the carnage below.
A roar of rage pulls my gaze back down. I lean against the railing and watch as Harvey’s crimson mask glints, hiding the blood spattered across his face as he slices through a horde of Deviants.
In the center of what was once a field of rare exotic flowers, Seiji lashes his whips against the ground, then unleashes them across enemy lines, tearing flesh from anyone who dares step close. Above him, Jackson is steadily levitating, protecting both Harvey and Seiji from dark spells.
I didn’t expect the booming command from my petite sister, but pride swells in my chest as Grace orders her team of skilled archers to aim for the third portal opening to the south.
A weredragon screeches overhead, a reminder of the beasts protecting us from above. They are positioned on every tower to assist the archers in bringing down their targets. I catch one mid-strike, sinking his teeth into a gargoyle’s throat before tossing the limp body to the ground.
The first time I saw Hazel in battle mode, I thought she was crazy. Now? I’d like to add batshit to that description.
A circle of warlocks tries to close in on the siren, but Hazel moves like she’s performing a dance routine, not standing in the middle of a battlefield. Each strike of her blade cuts through flesh like butter, blood and gore painting her skin as she twirls, a sinister smile curling on her lips.
Like I said… batshit crazy.
I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling that Papa will love her when they meet. He’s always had a way of appreciating the crazy in people.
The witches flood the first wave with Deviants. Convenient,since they’re rabid bloodthirsty dogs with no moral compass or survival instincts.
Angel had told me how many supernatural empires turned their backs on the witches after he visited with our siren. Still, some were stupid enough to stay loyal. The djinns, gargoyles, and—not so surprisingly—werewolves continued with the alliance.
Sliding a sword into its sheath on my back, I buzz with anticipation as the last of Visha’s soldiers crosses over. Now the real game begins.
On Angel’s signal, the enchanted shield around the kingdom slams back into place, and the electric force field crackles to life just as every portal around the realm collapses.
When our enemies finally realize they’ve been tricked into trapping themselves inside a realm with no way out, a wave of panic and dread ripples through their ranks. Now, the only way out is death.
I’d expected Visha to figure out the barriers had been lowered on purpose, but maybe I’ve been giving her a little too much credit this entire time.
What Visha and her coven did still holds a power over me, even after I’ve escaped their clutches. But from today on, I refuse to carry the guilt of not being strong enough to save more people like me.
People like Anisha. Like my little Monkey.
The days of helplessness, the nights I watched my friends tortured and killed are behind me.
“I get to avenge them all today,” I whisper, eyes locked on the bloodshed before me.
I lean against my mate when I sense him behind me. Angel wraps his arms around me, steady and unshakable as he points toward the chaos. “Everyone not on our side is yours tonight. Feast on them. Do whatever your precious heart desires and know that I’ve got you.”
He calls for Diamond and helps me into the saddle. “This is your chance to avenge yourself, Harvey, and our son. Avengeevery tear your father shed waiting for his daughter to come home. Every lie they fed you to break your spirit. Every drop of blood that mixed with your tears. Make them pay, sweetheart.”
A tear slides down my cheek. Angel wipes it away, cups my face, and kisses the unmasked side of my forehead.
“I love it when you enable my crazy. It’s so hot.”
He laughs as he double-checks my armor while Diamond paws impatiently, wings twitching. Angel grips my calf and squeezes, demanding my attention. “If I see more than five bruises on you at the end of the night, there will be punishment.”
“Ohhh, daddy behavior.”
“I adore how you can be so innocent and so filthy in the same breath.” His smirk tickles something wicked inside me. He steps back, eyes gleaming. “Now go unleash Death.”
