Page 132 of The Stone Initiation
Cameron’s in trouble.
* * *
CAMERON
Fight it. Cam, you can fight it. Please. Stop.
But I couldn’t. He was in my head. In control of my limbs and I was being drawn closer and closer to him. He smiled smugly and took a step toward me.
A crack like thunder ripped the air, followed by a flash of light then darkness filled the space between us. It pulsed then exploded toward Ignus, sending him flying onto his ass.
His hold on me snapped, and I staggered back, staring at the hooded figure standing in front of me. “Derek?”
Derek smiled, his mournful eyes lighting up. “Unnnng Hrrrggg arghh”
You need me.
Something clicked in the back of my mind and tears blurred my vision because he was here to protect me from the monster, just as he’d always been there to protect me from the nightmares.
Ignus ran at him, but Derek stood firm and pushed out his hands slamming Ignus with another wave of power.
“Angga ingg,” he said to me.
Run now.
So I did.
The grotesques leapt into the air to follow. I ducked my head and pushed harder, sprinting with everything I had to put distance between us. Had the others gotten to the library yet? Had they called for help? How long would it take to—
Talons snagged the back of my top and lifted me off the ground. “Argh!” I twisted, kicked, and fell to the ground, before scrambling to get up and continue running.
It hit me again, knocking me off balance this time, instead of trying to pick me up. I hit the ground on my side, jarring my hip. My stone skin numbed the worst of the blow, but I’d lost my advantage. The grotesque had me pinned.
“Nice trick.” Ignus said from behind the beasts. “But your tulpa’s no match for me. Now get the fuck up. I’m done playing.”
“You’ve also lost your pretentious accent, you wanker.”
He growled and made a grab for me, but the heavy beat of wings had him faltering.
A blast of icy air raked over me, then Serath was bearing down on Ignus. The elites were hot on his tail along with several other guardians. My heart leapt into my throat, beating so hard that words were impossible.
The cavalry had arrived.
“Fucking hell.” Ignus clenched his teeth. “Until next time, Walker.” He brought his hand down and something smashed. The spot where he’d been standing lit up bright blue and when the light died. He was gone.
The grotesques took to the air and the guardians followed, bringing them down one by one.
Serath landed in a crouch, then strode toward me, his husky gaze filled with fire. I didn’t have time to pull myself up before he’d scooped me into his arms. He held me tight for long aching seconds. His heart hammering against me. My goyle nature reveled in the contact, wanting to melt against him, but my human side, the rational side was stuck in a loop, hearing Ignus’s words over and over.I’m taking you to see your brother…Did they tell you he was dead?
I shoved at Serath’s shoulders, wanting to see his face when I asked him. Wanting to look into his eyes and read the truth.
His grip slackened enough for me to pull back and lock gazes with him. “Is it true?”
“What?” He scanned my face.
“Is Romi still alive?”
His expression closed off, but not before I caught the flicker of unease in his eyes.
