Page 71 of Ruin

I launched into a run towards my mate, but before I could reach her, the biggest demon I’d ever seen barrelled through the walls and grabbed her. Unfurling red leathery wings it propelled them upwards. On instinct, I leapt and grabbed onto its tail. I knew from past experience that Berith’s skin was too hard for me to dig my claws in, so I gripped on with my claws and my teeth as he blasted through the floors of the prison like they were paper. Up he went, taking my soulmate with him. Berith howled and tried to fling me off, but I wouldn't let go.

My roar, as he launched up through the concrete and into the snow filled air, was loud enough my brothers all roared back. Below us, the ground swarmed with Weres and guards. It was hard to tell who was one of my pack and who was the enemy. No matter Drake's new firepower, we were outnumbered.

Grunting with effort, I clawed my way up Berith’s back. He tried twisting and diving, but could not shake me loose.

Clutched in his claws, Ember glowed like a sun, except no matter how much fire she blasted out, it didn’t harm him. I snarled. No, it would take a beast to end a beast.

Ember, set her free…Fly, my heart. Go and help Owen...Get those women and babies to safety.

Her stunning eyes found mine, and she blinked.

You can do it. You can control her. I know you can.

The smile she gave me, coupled with the warmth of her love, infused me with strength.

Berith roared as my Firecracker shifted into the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen. A large bird of fire, her flames glowing, slipped from his grasp, and soared away. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and watched her swoop through the air, turn an elegant loop and drop towards the battle below. Like the magical creature she was, Ember left a trail of shimmering flames in her wake.

With my mate safely out of Berith’s grasp, I let loose a bellow and speared my claws into the softer skin I’d felt near Berith’s wings. Hellfire couldn’t end this creature, but beheading it would send it right back to Hell where it belonged. First, I needed it on the ground. I yanked on the bond to my brothers, and their answering howls echoed through the air.

Berith bellowed, rolling in the air, but he couldn’t dislodge me. Over and over, I speared his skin. Dripping with his blood, I reached into the hole I’d made and curled my fist around the ligaments of his wings, ripping them from his flesh. He screamed and rolled, no longer able to use that wing.

We fell fast. Before he could land on me and end my life, I jumped. Branches tore at my skin as I fell to the forest floor, landing in the snow with a thud. By the time Berith crashed into the ground about twenty feet away, I was on my feet and running with my brothers by my side. Kawan was there first. He launched himself onto Berith’s neck tearing at the skin, but he left only scratches. Stone shifted, becoming fae just before he got to the demon. His eyes glowed purple and glowing shackles encircled Berith’s wrists. Stone grunted as he yanked the demon’s arms above his head. “Go! I don't know how long I can hold him.”

Owen and I ran forward. Together we ripped at the skin on Berith’s neck as he twisted and fought. His tremendous strength was too much for Stone’s magic. He broke free and tossed Owen sideways, sending my brother crashing through the trees.

Around us, the wind picked up, sending snow into the air. Before Berith could get up, I thrust my claws into the shallow cuts we’d made on his skin. Kawan joined me, but once again Berith threw us aside. Stone yelled and thrust more magic around Berith’s wrists.

From out of the swirling snow, a cord of ice blue appeared and wrapped around Berith’s neck. The whoosh of arrows sounded at the same time the scent of a new army hit me. I didn’t pause to look, but launched myself at Berith once again. Stone yanked at Berith’s arms at the same time as slivers of ice wound up and around Berith’s legs.

I grinned at the white haired fae who stood at my side.

“Walker.”

“Hell-beast.”

“King Hell-beast to you.”

Walker raised a brow. “Then it’s King L’nar Voltair, to you.”

“Hmm? Son of Voltair.”

“That’s right. Not Walker…” His white brows dipped to the bridge of his nose. “I never did understand that name you gave me.”

My lips pulled back from my large teeth. In this monstrous form, my smile looked like anything but. “Nevermind, you can’t be perfect.”

“Debatable, Son. Now let’s send this creature back to Hell where it belongs.”

Walker lifted a hand and ice shards appeared from the air. They speared the thick skin of Berith’s chest as easily as stabbing a knife through butter. Berith’s yell was laced with agony and the Hell-beast in me loved it. The ground vibrated as he collapsed back. I held my hand up for my brothers to stand fast. This was my kill.

“Where’s your son?” I asked, wondering about the fae who had helped my mate become the fighter she was, because no matter how hard I had trained her, her fighting technique and control of Fire was better than it had ever been.

“B’nar is with Ember. She can win alone, but without some help, she may kill those she doesn’t wish to harm. She doesn’t yet know how to control that which fate gave her.”

I grunted. “Then let’s finish this. I want to be by her side again.”

Walker met my gaze. “I know. So let your beast take control. Let go of your humanity, then you end this creature.”

My nostrils flared. Walker was right. My human side was scared that if I let myself be consumed by the power of my beasts, I would be lost to violence and bloodlust.

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