Page 112 of Zayrik

I didn’t answer.

Didn’t need to.

I remembered her laugh.

Her trust.

Her body curled against mine this morning.

I raised my blaster.

And fired.

The initial shot wounded him in the shoulder. He staggered back, shock flickering across his face.

Because he thought I’d hesitate.

Thought I needed a reason.

Thought I’d play by rules he’d never respected.

I didn’t.

This wasn’t about justice. It was about her.

The second shot punched through his gut.

He dropped to his knees, gasping.

Still not understanding that this wasn’t a fight.

This was an execution.

The third...

Straight between the eyes.

Clean. Final. Merciful in a way he didn’t deserve.

There were no last words.

No grand duel.

No second chances.

Just the end he’d earned the moment he touched what was mine.

Vask’s body hit the floor, dead before he realized he’d already lost.

Dead before he understood what he’d awakened in me.

What he’d created when he hurt my mate.

I exhaled.

Let the rage settle into something colder.

Something focused entirely on her.

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