Page 97 of Fated for Dawn

Lia’s voice cut through the din, raw and pained.

“Stop this! You’re hurting me!”

I froze, my sword wavering mid-swing.

Was it really Lia, or was it just another one of Eris’s tricks?

The moment’s hesitation cost me.

A sharp pain tore through my shoulder as a vampire’s fangs sank into my flesh.

I stumbled back, blood trickling down my arm. The vampire grinned, its fangs stained red. Anger surged through me, hot and fierce, as I slashed the monster with my sword.

Time to end this.

I closed my eyes and reached deep within myself. The heat built inside me, spreading through my veins like liquid fire. I could feel my skin begin to burn, growing brighter and hotter until I was burning like a star.

Eris’s laughter faltered. “What are you doing?”

I opened my eyes, meeting her gaze. “You wanted chaos?” I said, my voice resonating with power. “Let me show youchaos.”

The fire exploded outward, engulfing me in flames. My body shifted, growing taller, broader, more powerful. Flames erupted from my body, engulfing everything around me. The vampires nearest to me shrieked, their bodies turning to ash in seconds.

Eris’s eyes widened, and her usual confident posture faltered.

The battlefield fell silent as I rose in my phoenix form into the air; the flames licking at the sky. Even my allies froze, gaping in awe. We’d kept this transformation a secret from everyone.

“Impossible,” Eris hissed.

I smirked—well, as much as a giant flaming bird can smirk—before unleashing a wave of purifying fire that swept across thebattlefield. Our enemies shrieked as they were consumed, their bodies crumbling into ash. Some managed to flee, but the SLEA moved in, striking with precision. Cuffs clicked into place, spells flared, and the battlefield shifted from chaos to containment. I noticed among the restrained was Ryker’s father, who lay bound and bloodied as he cursed and tossed.

Eris snarled, hurling bolts of chaotic energy at me. They fizzled harmlessly against my fiery form.

“You wanted chaos?” I projected my voice. I spread my wings as flames danced around me as I hovered above. “Here I am. The embodiment of destruction and rebirth.”

Before she could respond, I dove at her, talons outstretched, fire trailing in my wake. Eris raised her hands, summoning a shield of swirling darkness.

Focusing on my powers, I teleported across the battlefield, watching Eris’s mouth open in surprise. She held her shield, eyes darting around as she swirled in place, searching for me. Her shield grew larger—her restlessness palpable, as though she feared what would happen when I collided with it.

Am I strong enough to break through?

I had to trust myself and protect those I loved. With a roar, I crashed into her shield directly behind her. My flames tore through it like paper, and the impact sent shockwaves across the battlefield.

My vision blurred in an explosion of light and shadow. Gravity pulled me down, and Eris parried my attack with a new surge of dark energy. As I pushed forward, sparks of energy cascaded in all directions, and for a moment, we seemed evenly matched.

Exhaustion. I felt it in my bones. No matter how much I screamed to focus my power on the goddess, it seemed like Eris had unlimited energy to deflect my attempts to purge her darkness.

I felt a warm energy mix with my own and realized that my mates were lending me their strength. Their power poured into me through our bond, and their love calmed my mind and told me I wasn’t alone.

My flames surged brighter.

Eris’s voice reached me as I focused our energies on defeating her. “Will you sacrifice those you love to end me?” She tried again. “Would you give up Lia? If this body dies, she dies.”

Breathe. Stay strong.

“I am chaos incarnate! I cannot truly die, but she can,” Eris reminded me. “I’ve seen your memories, your dreams. You know it’s true. Ending me meanskilling her.”

Lia. My best friend. Trapped inside this monster. Can I sacrifice her?

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