Page 25 of The Eternal Choice

“Ernestino.” My name is faint, but I recognize my brother’s voice.

“Leandro,” I bellow. “Where are you?”

Lilliana runs forward and is helping Leandro up from a deep hole in the ground. I run in their direction, but Ivano grabs my shoulder.

“Wait, it’s not safe. The explosion made a part of the ground cave in due to the tunnel underneath. It’s still shifting and a part broke off near the cliff.”

I shrug Ivano’s hand off. “Exactly the reason why I should go to my mate.”

If I fall over a cliff I can simply shift and fly away, Lilliana can’t. Well, she does have wings. She also mentioned the lack of control so I’m not sure what her ability to use them is. Either way, I’m not willing to take the fucking risk.

Movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention and I partly shift my arm to lash out with my claw. Talons tear through the torso of a man who was about to attack me with a sword and I make sure to grab the fucker by the shoulder and tear his head straight off.

Strength comes with age and I’m at least a century older than the dragon lying dead at my feet. The patch on his arm marks him as Marshgloom as did the other Lilliana killed. My younger brother leans on my mate as they walk toward us.

“Why now?” Leandro grumbles. “No one knew we were in those tunnels.”

My mind instantly jumps to only one man; Nario. He has to be involved somehow. Right now it doesn’t help shit. Especially when I don’t know where the hell he is.

“Irrelevant since we’re in this mess. We need to regain control of the gate,” I grunt. “The mine can wait until backup has arrived.”

“You heard him, go,” Lilliana snaps and Ivano rushes in the direction of the gate.

Leandro is leaning forward, his hands on his knees, when I address Lilliana. “How did you take out that guy without so much as touching him?”

She lowers her voice to a mere whisper. “You might say I hit the self-destruct button with a snap of my fingers, without the self-destruct button. And before you freak out, I only used it once before today. It’s not like I take joy in turning someone into red mist. I don’t add the ability to my regular options when I’m fighting, it’s more of a last resort freak the fuck out option. The first time it happened someone was about to behead my brother, and to see you…I just–”

“Snapped,” I finish for her and nod.

I’d like to talk more about my mate’s powerful abilities, however now is not the time. The screaming has faded and besides the headless bodies of Marshgloom men, I don’t see any others left standing.

Lilliana pulls her phone from her pocket. “Reinforcements are here.”

“To the gate,” I grunt and the three of us jump into a run.

CHAPTER NINE

– LILLIANA –

Knowing my family is at the gate allows me to slow down and close my eyes to focus on my surroundings. Seeing someone about to behead my mate makes me hyper aware of the risks and severity of the situation we’re in.

I wasn’t lying when I mentioned the previous battles I’ve fought on the battlefield or off it. Not once did I have a thought of dying or the risks I took involving myself or others. Panic for my brother dying and killing someone with a snap of my fingers wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as the hatred and true terror I felt when I saw someone wanting to behead Ernestino.

The awareness of the bodies on the ground is faint, and the only essence snagging my attention is coming from my left. Stumbling to a stop, I open my eyes and the first thing blocking my sight is Ernestino’s bare ass.

“Stop,” I snap, making both men turn to face me. “We can’t meet my parents.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” Leandro questions.

Pointing at my mate’s crotch, I state, “He needs pants, and–” Movement draws my attention to my left.

From my pinky to my pointy finger, I let my digits touch my palm to unlock a hidden bag. Shoving my hand inside, I pull out a sword and whisper, “We missed one.”

“Where the fuck did you pull that sword from?” Leandro asks in awe. “Did you see that, brother? Do you know how she–”

“Hush,” I grunt and jump into a run.

Pushing my feet, I add the speed I need and manage to sprint ahead. Leaping around the tree I know someone is hiding behind, I move my arm to have the sword right underneath the person’s chin.

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