Page 57 of To Crave Darkly
I followed the sound to the mouth of an alley and skidded to a halt. Fenris was surrounded by three guys. It was Flint. Motherfucker. He had been warned to back off but here he was being a dick again.
“Where’s the girl?” Flint growled.
“Not going to tell you, so you might as well fuck off,” Fenris replied, his magic glowing at his fingertips.
There was something off about the two men with Flint. They stood awkwardly, like they were uncomfortable in their own skin.
I had to do something, but what? I didn’t have a weapon. I didn’t have magic. Maybe I could cause a distraction and give Fenris a chance to attack.
“Looking for me, boys?” I called. All eyes turned to me. Ah, crap. I hadn’t thought this through at all.
“Lori! Run!” Fenris roared before throwing his hands up. He caught Flint off guard, and he flew backwards through the air. The other two creatures ran towards me and my jaw dropped. There were two black holes where their eyes should be, and fear slithered up my spine at the site of them.
They were monsters.
I ducked under their arms as they barrelled towards me with their unnatural gait, but that put me in the path of Flint. And he was on his feet again.
Shit.
He charged towards me and I froze to the spot. Oh, fuck. Fear had my limbs refusing to move and Flint was getting closer.
A shadow landed in front of me, and I was suddenly staring at Fenris’ back. How’d he move so quickly?
“Stay behind me,” Fenris ordered. He didn’t need to tell me twice.
“Just hand her over mage and we’ll kill you quick,” Flint said as he advanced towards us. We were cornered. The monsters flanked Flint on either side, and they surrounded us like vultures. Shit. Maybe I should have just legged it. No. I wouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t leave Fenris to face this on his own. When it came down to it, I would choose his life and anybody else’s above my own. Well, maybe not Flint’s, I don’t think he’d be worth saving.
“Screw you, Flint,” Fenris spat.
He moved so fast he was a blur. One second he was in front of us, the next he had Fenris pinned against the wall by his throat.
I could see panic on Fenris’ face. Something was wrong. Why wasn’t he fighting back?
Flint laughed. “Struggling to find your magic?”
Fuck. I had to do something. Come on demon, where are you?
I turned my thoughts inwards, searching for her, but she was as silent as the grave I was about to find myself in.
Please.
Come on. I know you’re there.
Nothing. Argh. Fuck this.
Terror forced my body into action, and I launched myself into Flint, swinging my fist into his temple. It connected with a satisfying crunch. He released Fenris and turned his beady eyes on me.
“Run, god dammit!” Fenris shouted before reaching for Flint. Like fuck was I running away. Flint’s monsters ran towards us, eager for a fight. Well, they could bring it because I was fucking ready.
Fucking ready to pee my pants but I wasn’t giving up.
Fenris was dealing with Flint and I could see his magic was working again. Good. I wasn’t sure what Flint had done before, but I was glad it wasn’t hindering Fenris any more. I didn’t have time to think about it. One of the monsters had nearly reached me. I punched him in the mouth and his head snapped back. Fuck that hurt. Meaty paws aimed at my face, but I ducked, jabbed my fist in his crotch and enjoyed the painful grunt he emanated as he dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
The other one took his place. He approached slowly, clearly wanting to take his time. I stepped backwards. Shit. He was herding me back towards Flint. The monster I’d sent to the ground stood unsteadily on his feet and joined his comrade.
I snuck a glance over my shoulder. Fenris was on his knees, with Flint’s hand around his throat.
Shitting hell. I could do this. I had to.
