Page 96 of Zayrik

“Really, Nyla?” he exhaled, voice smooth, patient. “You always were too stubborn for your own good. Give me the crystal, Nyla. Save yourself some pain.”

Defiance bloomed low in my gut, slow and sharp. But I didn’t flinch. Didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

He smirked. Like he already knew he’d won.

Like he could taste my fear.

“You really thought you could walk away from this?”

I swallowed hard. Didn’t answer.

Couldn’t.

Because for the first time, I wasn’t sure if I could.

But through our connection, I felt Zayrik’s certainty I wouldn’t have to.

He was coming to get me.

Vask sighed, shaking his head like I was some unruly child who hadn’t learned her lesson.

Who needed to be taught again.

He moved. Fast and brutal.

A blow to the ribs, hard enough to steal breath and blur vision.

The pain echoed through our connection. I felt Zayrik’s answering roar of fury, and the need to protect what was his.

Zep shrieked again, launching at him. Brave, foolish, loyal.

But this time Vask was ready.

He swung his arm, backhanding Zep mid-air with brutal force.

The sound of the impact was sickening.

Zep hit the floor hard.

A small, broken noise escaped him. Then, stillness.

My heart seized.

No! Please, no.

Something inside me snapped.

Something primal and protective that matched Zayrik’s fury pulsing through my skin.

I lunged.

Rage swallowed the pain.

Made me forget strategy. Forget survival.

Only for Vask to catch my wrist, twisting hard, forcing me down.

Through our connection, I felt Zayrik’s helpless fury. Felt how he wanted to tear Vask apart with his bare hands.

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