Page 61 of Tail Me No Lies
Geral tossed a blade onto the ground between himself and Nox. “You have a simple choice. Her life or your freedom. Choose—”
Nox did not allow the male to finish. He jumped to his feet and lunged. With his claws out and his hands bound, he slashed across Geral’s abdomen with both hands.
Blood bloomed red across the fabric of his shirt. The male’s eyes went wide, surprised. He touched his stomach and held up scarlet fingers in disbelief.
Nox followed the slash with another to the face, aiming for the male’s eyes. He dared to look at Ruth, so he took that ability away.
Another scream. It barely registered. The male bent over in pain. It was not enough.
Nox tackled the male, laying him flat on his back, and bit his throat. Fang sank into the soft flesh, a foul taste flooding his mouth, and the scream turned into a gurgle.
“What the fuck. He tore his throat out!”
“I didn’t sign up for this shit.”
Nox lifted his head and spat out Geral’s contaminated blood. There were others, perfectly happy to help and watch Geral murder his mate.
They will pay.
Using the discarded blade, he freed his hands. Geral staggered to his feet, clutching his torn throat. “You’re out of your mind,” he said, or tried to say. It was really more rasping and bubbling.
Nox delivered a double-fisted blow to the jaw. Geral’s head cracked back. He stumbled backward, knocking over the lantern.
The glass cracked and oil spilled out. Flames followed, rippling across the ground. Geral’s clothing caught fire. He flopped around on the ground, screaming.
There were others. Make them pay.
Nox moved in the direction of the voices. They would pay in blood and screams. He would not rest until he felt their worthless flesh tear under his claws. He’d spill their innards on the ground and gouge out their eyes.
His tail lashed violently, thoroughly delighted with the prospect.
“Nox!” His mate’s voice pierced the fog of the bloodlust, bringing him back.
His mate.
There wasn’t much time.
Oily black smoke hung in the air. Nox coughed, pulling up his shirt as a makeshift mask.
He dashed to Ruth, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her. With one arm supporting her weight, he slashed at the rope with his claws. “Do not worry.”
In the background, he heard Geral’s wails as he burned until he fell silent. Nox couldn’t think about what that meant or the origin of that acrid, noxious odor. The flames surrounded them and grew closer. The old barn had seemingly been stuffed to capacity with every flammable item on the planet. Canisters popped and burst. Glass cracked and shattered. Wood crackled. Flames went up the walls and onto the ceiling.
He worked frantically, eyes watering from smoke and coughing. Breathing grew difficult. His chest tightened as he struggled for air. Finally, the rope broke.
Ruth sagged against him.
He lowered her to her feet. “Are you well?”
She coughed, pawing at the rope around her neck. With a growl, he tore away that abomination. The rope left a red welt on her throat. He’d kill Geral all over again.
“Yes.” She spoke in a rasp.
The ceiling above cracked.
Nox pushed Ruth to the ground, covering her with his body as the roof collapsed.
ChapterTwenty
