My vision turns red as I throw myself into the fray of bodies before me. I don’t even take time to register what type of monsters are in front of us as my claws and tentacle whips lash out and wrap around their tender throats, severing their last breaths. Their cries and the blood gurgling out of their throats bring a small smile to me as I move on to my next target that dares attack my woman.
For a moment, I’m not even sure whose thoughts are which. Is it mine or Slayers that’s enjoying the death that’s surrounding us?
‘It’s both of us. We are one. Enjoy it while we can. This is the ultimate Blood Match; everyone here deserves to die!’Slayer cackles like the crazed manic that he is.
‘You might be right that we can let loose, and everyone deserves to die. But we can’t be lost here,’I remind him. This isthe Road of Worth, and Azazel being the Prince of Rage, is all about trapping our ass here.
Slayer laughs and continues to carve up the larger prey before us as doubt trickles in. I can’t fight against Wrath and Slayer; there’s no way I’ll win.Besides, aren’t my animals supposed to be onmyside?
The thought leaves me as we cut through another monster while we work our way closer to Rez. Our claws cut through their flank like butter, cleaving them in two. Everything becomes a blur as I allow Slayer to guide our direction, and I try to rein in our desire to let go and give into the bliss that calls to us.
It’s not until the mob thins out that I notice my labored breath sawing out of my lungs, and a thrill races through me. This is what I needed a moment ago while we wandered aimlessly around these halls—this detachment and finding Rez. It’s like breathing in fresh air after coming up from toxic clouds, waiting for a chance for reprieve.
As Lynx and Zeke finish off the last of the monsters, I quickly shift to my human form, ensuring my leathers are in place while looking for Rez. I find her, but I’m taken aback by her appearance and pause as I wonder for the first time if it’s safe to approach her.
Body parts surround her feet as her chest heaves from her exertion. There’s no mistake that she’s been at battle this whole time away from us. Ribbons of her hair lay limply around her face, drenched with sweat and blood. It matches the rest of her ensemble on her leather as chunks of her enemies are spread across her outfit. Her clothes look intact, but it’s the fact she’s not moving to wipe anything away from her face that sends up warning signs. Her taut stance and unseeing wild eyes make my skin crawl as I reach out to her in another way.
Tapping into our bond, my brows furrow as I don’t pick up any feelings from her. It’s as if there’s no connection or there’s just static and I need to tune in deeper.
‘Slayer, wanna help?’I prompt, needing a power boast once again. I hope this is just a side effect from being on this level.
Taking a step, I call out, “Kitten?”
I tentatively reach for her and notice the grip around her glaives tighten slightly, so I pull back my hand but continue to approach.
“Goddess? You okay?” Ryker’s concern pierces the silence, and Rez marginally shifts her weight to her back leg. The small movement speaks volumes as she preps to attack.
“Lynx? You got anything?” I ask, keeping my voice steady and calm.
“Nope. Rezzi-bear is a Rezzi-stare…off into the void,” he says, moving into my peripheral. I cock an eyebrow in disbelief. “What?” He shrugs.
I go to answer but find that I can’t. Instead, that unbearable heat is flooding through me. I give Lynx a wide-eye look, and he automatically goes on defense.
“What’s wrong?” he calls out before quickly shifting back into his tiger form.
Simultaneously, I drop to my knees as pain ricochets throughout my body, causing my back to bow as a scream so primal makes the fine hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Rez’s head is thrown back, elbows tight against her sides, and her weapons out as she screams at the top of her lungs. But she doesn’t look like she’s in pain. No, I’ve seen that look before.
She’s awakened.
Fuck!
Before we can do anything, Rez sprints past us and takes the hallway we just came from, but her scream has turned into a war cry.
“Shit! What the fuck is going on?” Zeke asks. He looks between me and her in confusion, unsure who to help, and I try to wave him off.
“Go,” I manage to get out, and Zeke and Lynx waste no time going after our woman. The pain is excruciating. The heat I feel makes it hard to move, let alone breathe.
‘Dusky…help.’
I feel a wet and warm tongue lick along my cheek and try to smile as Reaper nuzzles against me and whines. I know he’s worried, but it’s not me who’s truly going through this; it’s Rez, and I’m experiencing the effect since I’m fighting it.
‘I’m pleased to help,’Dusky chimes in. It’s been a while since I’ve heard his meek voice. ‘But I’m afraid to say I don’t know how long I will be able to control this pressure if we are here long term.’
‘Well, we’ll have to work fast,’I assure him.
“Okay, big man. We need you too,” Ryker says, grabbing my arm and putting it over his shoulder as he tries to lift me.
“Ry. She’s awakened,” I say, and he stiffens.
