Page 93 of Shaped By Darkness

“Yes, you're strong, but this isn’t about physical or even magical strength, Serena. You're not ready to face Lyle mentally, and I can’t help you!” His words spill out as fast as his feet hit the ground as he chases after her, and we all follow.

For the most part, the village is empty. The only area we haven’t checked is where Lyle was, and that’s where we’re headed.

Serena stops and spins around so suddenly that Ryker has to sidestep her in order to avoid plowing her over. They stand face-to-face, neither looking like they are going to be the one to back down.

A crash sounds not far away, followed by a scream, and the rest of us are moving to handle that, leaving Ryker and Serena to figure out whatever that is on their own.

“Can’t help us? Or won’t?” Serena’s voice is low and harsh, but with our shifter hearing, none of us misses the accusation.

“Don’t do that, Serena. Don’t act like I don’t want to help you.”

Garrett flies up with a few more villagers in his claws, taking them into the forest where we lead the others. I see him look back, and I have a feeling he hates Serena being near Ryker, even more so when he’s leaving.

I can’t say I disagree. While I might not have the same distrust for Ryker that Garrett does, I still don’t really know him, other than the fact that his father is the fucking asshole who’s not only tried to kill Serena but also the guy responsible for Lyle’s current state.

Yeah, can’t say he’s winning brownie points like that.

“All I want is to help you. That’s what I’ve been trying to do since the moment I found you in the woods.”

I clear the house the villagers had come from just as Pike, Sol, and Blair clear the others. Sol comes out with a few more people, but Pike and Blair shake their heads, letting me know there’s nobody for them to help. I just hope that means the houses were empty and not that the people inside are dead.

Sol makes his way toward the forest in the same direction Garrett headed a moment ago, but unlike with Garrett, I feel the need to accompany Sol.

‘I’m fine,’ he growls through the bond. I can picture the eye roll that went with it, even if he’s a few paces ahead of me.

‘Never said you weren’t.’

We make it to the trees and leave the villagers with others who are quick to offer water and lead them the rest of the way to safety before we head back.

‘I don’t need you treating me like a kid and following me around.’Sol takes off at full speed toward the village, and I follow with ease. He can be mad, but I almost lost him not long ago in a situation a lot like this.

Besides, it’s not like he can outrun me; we learned a long time ago that our beasts are pretty evenly matched.

‘Knock it off, Storm.’He snaps his jaw, and I know he’s annoyed, but I can’t bring myself to care.

I nip at his hind legs, and he spins around to face me, teeth bared, his eyes shining with annoyance.

‘No. We almost lost you.’The memory hits me like a brick wall, and I have to take a second to collect myself.‘I almost lost you, and I can’t lose anyone else.’

I watch his annoyance melt away. I know he hates feeling like a weak link, but that’s not what this is. This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with me, and more importantly, Serena.

‘She can’t lose anyone else.’

I’m right; we both know it. Serena is strong, but people are only made for so much. Everyone has a breaking point, and fuck if this isn’t all more than that already. Sometimes, I’m not sure how she keeps going.

Would I be able to if I were in her shoes?

The thought of Serena in Lyle’s place is terrifying, but it also makes my stomach roll.

“Why are you still doing what he says?” Serena’s words carry to us through the trees, happily pulling me from the nightmare I’d just imagined.

Sol and I make it back to the village to find Serena walking away, headed toward the far side of the village. The same way Lyle headed only a few moments ago. Thankfully, we already cleared that area, meaning there won't be anyone for him to hurt, but the area between here and there still needs to be handled.

As do the few chimera stragglers.

Ryker stands, his eyes glued to Serena as she walks away, and we follow like her loyal guards.

I hear his groan of frustration, but I don’t dare turn around and look, not as we turn the corner and come face-to-face with four more chimeras.

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