Page 72 of A Crown of Fates
Estee glares at Orix but speaks to me. “I’ll be back.”
I give her hand a squeeze before she turns sharply, running toward the inky demons.
“And then there were two,” Orix says giddily as if this scenario is exactly what he hoped for.
Even if it is, I’m done playing his games. I don’t need idle chatter while these shadows destroy my pack. I want this done, and I want it done now. Without another word, I charge.
“Finally.” Orix meets me head-on, his dark energy crackling around him like a shield. I feel the impact as our bodies collide, the force reverberating through my bones. My claws lengthen, slashing through the air as I drive him back, my focus singular: ending him.
My knuckles cut into his nose and onyx blood drips down his face, but then he strikes my ribs, cracking at least one of them and making it hard for me to breathe.
I draw on my wolf, pushing him further to the surface, but as I feel the shift trying to happen, I stop myself.
Orix hovers over me, glee in his soulless eyes. “Come out and play, Wolf.”
He needs me to change. Whatever connection he still has to me is important. I don’t know why, but he’s shown his hand too early, and I won’t give in.
My inner beast retreats, just enough that I no longer have claws, but I can feel his power beneath my skin. I’m not alone, and his strength keeps me moving despite my worry for Estee and the pack.
A quick glance shows me that Estee’s now at Drea’s side and they’re slashing their way back to the center of the room. I want to keep watching, but Orix sends a tendril of dark energy at me, lashing the whip of power across my chest.
My clothes are ripped open, and a red line mars my skin, but the hit doesn’t cut me. “I’m done playing your games, Orix.”
His laughter surrounds me. “Oh, Theodore. And here I was hoping that we were only just getting started.”
I lunge at him again, unleashing blow after blow. For every hit I land, Orix counters with shadowy wisps that snake around me, seeking to trap my limbs. I twist and dodge, but the bindings are relentless.
I let them close in on me, feigning weakness as I grab Orix around the waist and slam him to the ground. The force of our impact cracks the floor beneath us, and the shadows shatter like glass, freeing me from their grip.
Taking advantage, I position myself over Orix, striking him with my fists. I expect him to fight back, but he laughs harder. “Iused to hate your stupidity, but I see now that I should’ve been grateful for it.”
Confusion fills me, and it’s not until I pause that I realize the wisps of his power didn’t dissipate completely. Where he already ripped open my tuxedo, onyx lines of poison spread over my chest, and my heart slows, making my breathing worsen.
I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I do know I’m not giving up that easily. With Orix still staring at my growing wound, I use his distraction to reach for the dagger disguised as a royal scepter.
“The crown jewels won’t help you now,” he taunts, but the moment I break the metal, revealing the weapon, his eyes go wide.
Orix scrambles, trying to shove me aside, but I won’t be stopped, not when I’m this close to freedom. I reach for his shirt, risking everything when I allow my wolf to surge forward, borrowing his strength to keep Orix close as I drive the dagger into his chest.
“I’m taking back what’s mine.”
Ancient power warms my palm as I hold the hilt, doing my best to keep the blade in place while he bucks beneath my weight.
“No,” Orix groans, but his refusal means nothing.
The blue stones glow around the dagger, and the dark magic bleeding through my skin, attempting to claim my heart, starts to fade.
This is it. Our nightmare’s going to end.
Power thrums with purpose around us—mypower—as Orix weakens, barely able to fight back as his energy fades. He’s done. There’s nothing more he can do to hurt me or the people I care about.
The relief is nearly as joyous as bonding with Estee, but it doesn’t last long.
He shakes his head, his dark eyes filled with defiance. “Even if you kill me, have you already forgotten my warning, Theodore? You’re still going to lose. I’ve made sure of that.”
I have no clue what he’s talking about, and I don’t want to know. He’s trying to take advantage of me like he has all these years, and I won’t allow it. Never again.
“Listen to their cries,” he taunts, chuckling despite the blood flowing freely from him and the translucency of his skin. “Do they remind you of the last family I took from you?”