Page 69 of The Purrfect Rival

The connection gave him an unexpected advantage. As Boz’s claws descended for another strike, Rust anticipated the move with fox-like intuition—a new awareness born of his bond with Kalyna. He twisted aside with uncharacteristic agility, causing Boz’s attack to miss by inches.

Confusion flashed across Boz’s distorted features. “What?—”

Rust countered with brutal efficiency, claws finding purchase in Boz’s shoulder. With a surge of strength, he hurled his cousin backward, sending him crashing into one of the standing stones.

At the southern and western points, Hezron and Echo had succeeded in disrupting the remaining artifacts. The ritual’s green dome flickered, sections collapsing as its power source fragmented. Boz staggered to his feet, blood matting his twisted mane, rage contorting his features as he witnessed his plan unraveling.

“If I can’t have the power,” he snarled, “no one will!” He lunged toward the central altar, where a black crystal pulsed with concentrated energy.

Rust realized his intention too late.

Boz slammed his fist into the crystal. It shattered with a deafening crack, releasing a shockwave of dark magic that knocked everyone within the circle off their feet. The energy spiraled outward, seeking new vessels to possess. Followers caught in its path screamed as the magic invaded their bodies, their forms twisting grotesquely before collapsing into ash.

Rust rolled to his feet, searching frantically for Kalyna. He spotted her near the northern point, shielded by Echo’s body as the magical backlash swept past them. Relief flooded him, quickly replaced by fresh alarm as he turned back toward Boz.

His cousin stood at the altar, the released energy swirling around him in a vortex. Instead of destroying him, the magic seemed to be integrating with his already twisted form. His body expanded, skeletal structure cracking audibly as it reconfigured into something monstrous—neither lion nor human, but a grotesque hybrid fueled by tainted power.

“Now you see what true strength looks like,” Boz’s voice boomed, distorted beyond recognition. “This is the future of shifter-kind!”

Rust backed away, instinctively putting himself between the monstrosity and Kalyna, who had regained her feet and now stood beside him. The fox charm glowed in her hand, its crimson light struggling against lingering dark energy.

“The ritual circle is destabilizing,” she said urgently. “If we don’t contain the released magic, it could spread beyond the boundaries.”

Elder Willow appeared beside them, her ancient face grave. “The original ritual purpose must be restored. Balance can only be achieved through union of opposites.”

“The charm,” Rust realized, understanding dawning. “It was designed to bridge different magics.”

Kalyna nodded, holding up the artifact. Its glow had strengthened, responding to her touch as blood called to blood. “But it’s still tainted. I can’t purify it alone.”

“We use our bond,” he confirmed, eyes meeting hers. “Channel our combined magic through the charm to counteract the dark energy.”

Before they could act, Boz charged. His transformed body moved with impossible speed, claws extended toward Kalyna—targeting the charm and the fox shifter in one strike. Rust intercepted, his lion form slamming into Boz’s grotesque hybrid body. They tumbled across the ritual ground in a tangle of claws and fangs, each fighting with desperate intensity.

“Now!” Rust shouted to Kalyna as he struggled to keep Boz pinned. “While I hold him!”

The fox charm glowed brighter in her hands as she began an incantation—ancient fox words that resonated with the site’s original magic.

Boz howled in rage, redoubling his efforts to break free. His enhanced strength proved overwhelming, one massive paw connecting with Rust’s jaw in a blow that sent him skidding across the stone floor. Blood filled Rust’s mouth, his vision blurring momentarily from the impact.

Keep going!he projected, forcing himself back to his feet as Boz turned toward her.

“The fox dies first,” Boz snarled, lunging toward Kalyna with deadly purpose.

SIXTY-SEVEN

Rust summoned his remaining strength, drawing on reserves he hadn’t known existed. His lion responded with fierce determination, golden magic surging through his limbs as he launched himself between Boz and Kalyna.

They collided in midair, the impact sending shockwaves across the ritual ground. Rust locked his jaws around Boz’s throat, claws digging into twisted flesh as they crashed to the earth. He felt something tear beneath his fangs, and he tasted blood that burned like acid against his tongue.

Boz thrashed in his grip, dark magic lashing out in desperate defense. Pain seared through Rust’s body as the tainted energy attacked his very essence, trying to twist his lion nature.

Don’t stop!he commanded, maintaining his hold despite the dark energy spreading through his system.Finish it!

Kalyna’s voice rose in the final verses of the purification spell, the fox charm blazing with renewed crimson light. She reached toward their bond, drawing on their connected magic. Rust felt her presence in his mind strengthen, fox energy flowing through their link to combat the dark magic invading his body.

In that moment, with his teeth at Boz’s throat and victory within grasp, Rust’s lion nature surged with primal fury. One clean bite would end the threat forever—revenge for the attack on Kalyna, for the desecration of sacred ground, for every Leonid tradition Boz had twisted. His jaws tightened, the metallic taste of blood fueling his rage.

Rust, wait!

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