Page 87 of Secrets of Avalon

I step toward the enraged Siren Queen, releasing Hawke's hand. He doesn’t like that I’m going toward her, but I have to. I have to try. "This isn't how you do it, Nimue," I say, my voice steady despite the icy terror flowing through my veins. "You can't force them to be okay with me by hurting them."

Nimue spins back to face me, her fangs still bared, and fury etched on her face. "I can. And I will. I'm done waiting for them to make the right choice."

"I need you to let us go. Please." I hold her gaze, my words urgent. "They'll kill me if I stay. I need to go. And I need Hawke. You’re hurting Hawke."

Her expression softens slightly, a flicker of coherence in her eyes. "Find the beast in the forest. He's on your side. Tell me you will."

“I will.” My pulse races beneath my skin. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go.

Nimue steps closer, placing her hands on my shoulders.

I’m nearly vibrating in place trying to keep my magick under control. We don’t have time for this.

"You fight with everything you have, Melinda. Don't be afraid of the power inside you. You are the key to fixing–"

Shouts and yelling shatter her concentration.

I spin around, trying to make sense of the sudden chaos. Daphne is knocked to the floor. Blood gushes from a gash on her head.

"Go!" Nimue shouts, her voice urgent. "Kellan!"

The room erupts into mayhem. Kellan's guardians materialize, filling the tower with ethereal energy shaped like dozens of dragons. The other Drakonii unleash their guardians too. Together they are managing to hold back the mob.

My heart pounds. I frantically scan the crowd. Hawke has vanished in the commotion. "Hawke!" I yell, my voice drowning in the din. I whirl in a circle, searching for any sign of him. People shove and push, nearly knocking me off my feet.

The room tilts and spins. Every direction blurs into a sea of angry faces and shimmering dragon guardians. I've lost all sense of orientation.

I’m coming for you. Stand still.

I freeze.

A second later Hawke takes my hand, and we're running. His determination and fear for my safety surge through our connection, urging me forward.

Ares and Boaz flank us on either side and the hot breath of Fen's wolf is on the back of my neck. Wraith is right behind him.

I glance over my shoulder, panic rising in my throat. "Kellan!" I shout.

Hawke squeezes my hand. "He'll come later, love. We have to get out of the castle. I have to get you to Vandimoor."

“Nimue said to look for the beast,” I say, panting between words. “I can’t keep up. I’m sorry.” My leg muscles are on fire, and I stumble, struggling to match their seemingly effortless supernatural pace.

Fen's growl rumbles behind me, and I let out an involuntary squeak. "I'm trying!" I tell the wolf.

"He's right." Before I can ask what the wolf is right about, Ares plucks me from the ground. His strong hands grip my waist and he half-tosses me onto Fen's furry shoulders.

Hawke's eyes flash with possessive rage and a snarl rips from his throat. "How dare you touch my mate!" He lunges at Ares, his fist connecting with the god of war's face in a sickening crunch. Anger and possession burn through our bond and light me on fire from the inside out.

Fen leaps past them both, his strides fluid and powerful, a chuffing amused sound escaping his muzzle.

"Hawke!" The castle walls blur as we race through the winding corridors. No. No. No. I need Hawke and Ares and… why are they fighting? We’re fucking running for our lives!

They are all right behind us. Siva’s voice is soft and reassuring in my frantic brain.

“He’ll be right along,” Boaz says, keeping pace at Fen’s left shoulder.

This whole situation is absurd. "What do you mean, he’ll be along? We're running from crazy council people, and my–" I struggle to find the right words, my voice rising in pitch. "I don't even know what to call him—is wrestling with the god of war. How is this even a thing?" I clutch tightly to Fen's fur, trying to steady myself on his massive back. "I'm riding Fen, who’s a wolf the size of a thoroughbred racehorse!"

And I’m naked underneath this night coat.