Page 64 of Fate of the Fallen

My hands felt strange and I peered down at them. The flames at their centers moved wildly and, right before my eyes, they stretched and twirled in strange ways. Within seconds two objects, one in each hand, began to take shape.

They were … weapons.

A large axe in one, a thick sword in the other.

Sebastian stared, his eyes alight with intrigue—his penchant for anomalies among supernaturals still present even now.

I didn’t have time to think or rationalize, just act. I swung the axe toward Sebastian, feeling the weight of it in my hand, as if it was a tangible object I held. I swung again and, this time, I managed to knock his blade away. His gaze followed as it tumbled across the ground. He was unarmed, but far from defenseless.

Time was running out, so I acted quickly to end this fight sooner rather than later. Around me, the team did the same, cutting down soldier after soldier, Declan choosing to take on Blaise.

I glanced toward the church again and Sebastian didn’t waste time trying to get under my skin.

“You’re already too late,” he taunted, causing my heart to race as I wondered if he was right about that. “And do you know why?” he asked. “Because I always win. Don’t you understand? Since the beginning of time, I’ve ruled these lands. And long after Evangeline’s blood has soaked into the soil, I willstillrule,” his voice boomed.

I stared at my hands, the weapons outlined in flames, and wanted nothing more than for these moments to be Sebastian’s last. Only, mere weapons weren’t good enough. I wanted him to die in unspeakable pain, just like the endless sufferingI’dlived through.

Heat rose from my lungs, and finally ripped from my throat in one thunderous explosion as I breathed red flames several feet in front of me. They fanned outward, first singeing the bark of the two trees beside me, then two lycans who meant to take me down before hitting my intended target.

Sebastian.

His eyes stretched wide with surprise when the first wave of heat touched his skin. And then, every tree within a mile must have quaked with the roar he released. It was the sound of several century’s worth of evading defeat coming to an end.

Still on his feet, he tore at his flesh as if he’d somehow peel away the rapidly spreading fire.

The tantrum had finally garnered Blaise’s attention, and the look of horror that spread across his face was almost as sweet as the one that had been on his father’s. All it took was that one moment of distraction to give Declan the advantage he’d been fighting for and, in an instant, his broad wings sprang forth and with the sharp edge of one, he opened Blaise’s throat. The poetic justice of this moment wasn’t lost on me, remembering how I’d nearly ended him the same way a short time ago.

He staggered back, clutching the wound. Within seconds, he picked up speed and I knew his plan. He intended to get away, hiding in the shadows until he healed and could avenge his father. However, I wasn’t the only one who noticed his attempt to escape. Before he got too far out, Ethan dashed toward him and wasted no time. He placed one hand on Blaise’s chin, and with one quick snap, ripped his head right off his neck.

As Sebastian burned and sank to his knees, his eyes were trained on his son. I wondered what went through his mind, if he felt some inkling of remorse for letting his greed rob them both of a full life. I wondered if he thought of how simple it would have been to share the title of royalty with another original family, realizing it wouldn’t have diminished his right in the least. Or maybe … he only regretted not being one step ahead of me.

He eventually slumped against a tree for support, but I promptly shoved him onto his back using the sole of my boot. His eyes were then fixed above on the stars, but he didn’t deserve even anounceof peace in death. So, I stood over him and made sure the only emotion he felt as his final breath hissed from between his lips was hatred.

His for me.

Mine for him.

Elise swooped down, the body of a now-deceased dragon hitting the ground seconds before she did. She was winded, but alert as she approached, seeing what was left of Sebastian, Blaise.

Her hand pressed to my shoulder and I was pleased to hear that our priorities were still aligned.

“We’ll deal with the rest and follow you when we can.”

I nodded, glancing toward where we last heard Nick. I took one step and with four words, Elise let down her guard and exposed her heart.

“Liam … save our girl.”

I walked away knowing she was well aware that I’d do whatever it took to make that come to pass.

Chapter Twenty-One

Evie

It was Nick, but … he’d changed. His arms and neck had swelled, doubled in size as thick, black veins covered him completely. He hadn’t even shifted into his wolf—covered in the telltale silver fur—but there was no questioning whether he had fully succumbed to the curse of the Liberator.

We, officially, had no place else to run.

Blinking as Nick stared past Beth and Errol, directly at me, I took a step back. As soon as I did, my stomach rolled with movement, a small body inside my own reacting to the terror I felt, the stress of seeing Nick like this.