Page 81 of King of Inferno

“Bradan, Ace informed us you would come. Nik and I remained behind in case someone returned. We’ve kept everyone out of the area,” Dom says.

“We’ll patrol the parameter of the area once you give the all clear,” Nik finishes.

“I will join you after I investigate here. Keep everyone out,” I reply.

Only members of the Sapphire Moon packs can access the temple above. I knit my brows as I sense a cloaked presence has been here. No wonder Ace didn’t sense them right away, but how did they get up to the temple?

I inhale deeply then breathe out. The steps to the temple appear, smoke seemingly rolling off them. I make my way up swiftly, tracing the remnants of the presence that was here.

Once at the entrance of the temple, I scent Ace’s blood. I frown as I can sense the battle was much worse than it looked by the time he arrived at the clubhouse. I clench my fists and move to the center of the temple.

The best way to know what happened will be to see it for myself. Things are about to get hot in here. I double-check to make sure no one else is here.

“Ben kralim.”

I stand with my hands out to my sides as flames ignite, encircling me. They move clockwise, swirling around me. The room begins to pulse with heat as a vision of what happened here earlier this evening begins to play.

Ace entered the temple as he said. He moved to the altar and kneeled to offer his prayers to the goddess. It’s while his head is bent a cloaked figure appears in the shadows.

His frame is large, putting me in the mind of one of my kind, not a wolf as I had expected. Wolves are smaller than we are. Only lycan alphas come anywhere near our size.

I shouldn’t be surprised as we have already learned there are those of our kind still roaming the earth. My curiosity is piqued. If not a pack member, how did this being get in?

A gust of wind picked up as if someone had blown it into the temple and Ace lifted his head. Ace stood right away, on alert and ready to protect the temple.

However, something else entered the air. It’s so oppressive I can feel it even now in this state. No wonder Ace couldn’t shift. However, he’s a skilled warrior and took on the cloaked intruder without shifting fully.

I watch as the cloaked figure fights with a familiar style. However, there’s something off. Almost like he wasn’t in complete control or as if he was intent on being cautious.

He was in a defensive mood almost the entire time. Then it happened and I’m jerked back to the present. The same flash of light from the night I found Taylor in the parking lot.

“Those fucking hunters,” I growl.

Runaway Fairy

“Thank you for suggesting the chakrams as my go-to weapons. They feel right, as if they’re meant to be,” I purr as I wrap my arms around Bradan’s waist and look up at him.

His chest is bare and he’s all sweaty. Proving he’s no longer holding back. I don’t mind, I feel stronger. I’m no longer afraid to spar with him.

“They suit you. Your speed is improving. Let’s keep going.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” I say and smile.

Releasing him, I back up and allow him to get ready to attack. For a moment, I’m stuck in awe. He seems taller and more powerful as he stands with heat rising off his skin.

This time, he has chains in his hands. They are lit with flames as he spins them like nunchaku. Bradan is a magnificent being. He moves with such fluidity and focus. Not flinching in the slightest as the flames whirl around him.

“Focus, Taylor. You can’t be in awe of your enemy,” Bradan says in my head.

I take in a sharp breath. I didn’t realize I was so transfixed by his actions. He begins to move toward me, slowly at first, then he flashes in front of me in the blink of an eye. I dip back as one chain moves through the air to connect with my head. It sails over my face as I turn my head to the side. The heat caresses my cheek as it passes.

“Nice, baby girl,” Bradan says proudly.

I straighten and duck as the other chain comes at me from the other side. My chest swells with pride as I note I am moving a lot faster. When I come up, I call on my chakrams and cross them before me to block his next attack. The sound of metal-on-metal pierces my ears, but I stay focused.

Good thing I do because Bradan flashes behind me and tries the same attack. I twist around and duck out of the way, bending forward at the waist, the chains and heat moving across my back. When I straighten, I can see the second chain coming for my face out of the corner of my eye. I flash out of the way and come up behind Bradan, but he has already countered my flash and is at my side, spinning one of the chains above his head.

This is my move; time for me to strike. I run at him, making him think I’m going to come in close. The moment I can anticipate he’s about to try to wrap me in the chains, I pull up short and run at the air as if running up a wall to do a backflip. Sparks come from my feet with each step.

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