Page 116 of Death Warden
Hubert stands meters away, fingers smoking blue, expression unrepentant as he spins away to launch a fresh attack at another hound.
The hellhound in me wants to give chase, but the son chooses his father.
I gather Dax into my arms and try not to stare at the black hole in his chest. “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be fine. You’ll heal.” I know it’s a lie even as I utter the words.
Dax coughs up blood and grips my hand. “Be strong now, Spectre. Protect the club. Protect our hounds and… my daughter.” He reaches up and places his hand on my cheek, and I bite back a sob. “I love you, son. I’m so fucking proud of you. So fucking pro…” His eyes drift closed as the life leaves him.
His death takes my restraint with it, unleashing the berserker bloodlust that resides in my dirty blood. Blood that he embraced. Blood that he chose to love. He made me keep my name to show me that I was worthy.
Now it’s time to avenge his death. I shift, find Hubert’s scent, and follow it into the house. Down the hallway, through a door into a basement.
Voices drift up to meet me, blue light flares at the foot of the steps. I leap, jaws wide, and find the bastard’s neck.
* * *
LOGAN
I yank Curo out of the path of the blue flame just as Dralos’s body goes up in flames and Spectre leaps into the basement and takes out Hubert.
I shove Curo toward the stairs. “We have to get out of here.”
“What about Adi?” he asks.
“We have to trust that she knows what she’s doing. His body is gone. She has to get him through that red door. We’ll know if there’s something…” A sharp pain lances through my solar plexus.
Spectre roars.
Curo falls to his knees.
We stare at each other, one horrific realization blooming in our minds.
Adi is in deep trouble, and there is nothing we can do to save her.
* * *
ADI
Dralos’s mouth hovered over mine and my chest lurched, pins and needles blooming to life inside my blood.
I twisted in his grip, punching his chest and shoulders, desperate to be free, but he held firm, hungry and eager to siphon my life from my body.
“No.” My voice was a strangled protest. “Please. I’m…sorry. Dralos…I’m so sorry.”
He blinked. “Loralie.”
“Yes…It’s me.”
His grip slackened. “You hurt me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t understand…”
He lowered me so my feet touched the ground. “We could have been together.” His tone was ragged and broken.
“I know.”
“You broke your word…”
“I’m sorry.”
