Page 75 of Stone Heart
Rina cried out in his arms, pain evident as she tried to break free from his embrace.
The sound shattered his stone heart.
He would never knowingly hurt his mate. His gargoyle would forever protect her if it wasn’t for the damn necromancer magic. His beast snarled, feeling helpless for the first time in his long life.
“I’m so sorry, Rina. I can’t control myself,” he whispered against her ear, smelling the hint of her tears. He wanted to roar to the sky for being the cause of her pain, of the tears and any scars from his sharp talons.
As a guardian protector, there was one thing he knew he wouldn’t hesitate doing for her.
Give his life for hers.
“I know,” she whimpered.
“You have to stop him,” he gasped, trying to fight the necromancer’s hold on him, but he was losing the battle.
“But I don’t want to hurt you,” she moaned.
“Bring her to me, gargoyle,” Chukai commanded. “I think just for fun, I’ll drain her right in front of you, Khantar.”
“I will see you in Hell, Chukai,” the king snapped, his eyes filled with distain as they were trained on the necromancer’s who stood before him.
Rhodack knew he would have to sacrifice himself to save Rina.
“Do it. Use whatever magic you have to take him out.” Rhodack slowly shuffled his feet in the direction of the necromancer. “I refuse to turn you over to him.”
Chukai moved his head and let a devilish grin spread across his face while he watched Rhodack come toward him. A whimper slipped from Rina’s lips as Rhodack’s arms tightened once again. He was sure he was slowly cutting her air supply off.
“Rina! Do. It. Now!” he ordered.
Her body stiffened, and a scream poured from her. A bright light filled the cavern. The hot energy singed his flesh with the increase of her power. The strength of her energy blast shook the ground, sending his body flying through the air.
The ground was unforgiving as he landed with a thud. He rolled on the rocky ground, the rocks and earth falling all around him. Pain gripped him while he lay there, feeling himself fading to darkness.
“Rina,” he gasped, then darkness claimed him.
Rina’s eyes flew open.Pain infused her body, and for just a second she was confused.
Where was she?
She groaned and tried to move but found herself buried underneath rocks and rubble. She heard her name being called and winced at something sharp digging into her side. Something warm trickled down her flank near whatever was prodding into her skin.
“Rina!” Her father’s frantic voice filled the air.
“I’m here,” she replied weakly.
Memories flooded her.
“Rhodack!” she cried out, pushing rocks and dirt off her then pulling herself up to a standing position.
Rhodack had demanded that she use her powers to take out the necromancers. She’d hesitated at first, not wanting to harm him.
But he was a gargoyle.
He was practically indestructible.
“Rina!” her father cried out.
She squinted in the dark, seeing her father climbing over large boulders, trying to make his way to her. “Are you okay?”
