Page 108 of The Firebrand
Able to focus on a single berserker, Sabine kept her knees loose when she spun, thrust, and slashed at her opponent with a double-bladed staff. Though she was much smaller than the male she fought, the reach of her weapon gave her an advantage. In a series of fluid motions, a ballet that defied gravity, she bent, twirled, leaped before slicing off his head.
Rein curled one side of his mouth up into a feral grin, willing his fangs to extend. He charged, tearing into his opponent’s neck. Once again, the blood amped withamanita muscariacoated his throat, driving him to the edge.
Rein swiped the back of his hand across his bloody lips. In the distance, Ram held his own against three maddened berserkers, but more joined the fray. The satyr needed an assist. The vampire-mix Firebrand struggled through the fog of his madness. With a flick of his wrist, he wrapped a protection spell around Ram, allowing him to fight only two males at a time.
Rein dispatched another attacker with ease, his fangs in his neck, his blade in his heart. With the limp body in his arms, he cleaved the berserker’s head from its shoulders.
Reaching to the ground, Rein clutched the matted black braids on the severed head. He raised the prize in triumph, blood trickling off his chin, flowing down his arm. While he gazed at the bloody visage, adrenaline shot through him. He was back in the beast that had controlled him after the Awakening. And he loved it.
No more warlock. No incubus. He was vampire. He was pure need. No guilt. No compassion.
Rein dropped his trophy, swiping his forearm across his mouth as a loud battle cry thundered in the distance. With blood still sweetening his throat, fresh attackers streamed out of the dust.
His katar lodged in a berserker’s chest, Ram swiveled toward the sound. “Watch your sixes. Incoming!” he yelled to hisfrerons.
ChapterTwenty-Three
“Ihear you, chickadee. It’s Indigo. Let me in.”
Braelyn hesitated, pausing with her fist on the doorknob. Rein said not to answer the door, but this was his aunt. She turned the handle.
“I need an invite. Boyo has the place warded. Time’s a tickin’.”
“Of course, come in.” Braelyn whisked a hand in invitation.
Indigo twirled through the entry, flowers in her hair, a headband across her forehead, and a long, patterned dress with a gypsy vibe. The boots were gone. Her bare feet sported eye-popping red toenails. She still sounded like a walking MP3 player with multiple bracelets tinkling against each other. The exuberant witch latched onto Braelyn, hugging her, not letting go until Braelyn returned the gesture.
Indigo held her at arm’s length, hands curled over her shoulders. “My goodness. You look trampish. Who dressed you, a vampire?”
“No, Sabine got these for me.”
“A nymph. Just as bad. Well, turn around.” Her finger drew a circle in the air. “Yes. Sexy with a capital X.”
Braelyn’s cheeks warmed. How embarrassing for Rein’s aunt to see her in an outfit where her breasts spilled over the top. “I’m an ad for Sluts-R-Us, aren’t I?”
“Training program only. Never let a bloodsucker or a nymphette decide what you wear. Still, I bet my nephew will find it hot.”
“Did you know I was on Scath again?”
“Yes. A little birdie, actually a big harpy, told me you returned. Having fun with my boyo? Say, is he as hung as he looks?”
Braelyn gasped. “I… I…”
“When in doubt, tell the truth. Unless talking to a Spriggan. Always lie to them.”
“What’s a Spriggan?”
“Not worth talking about, ugly creatures on Darque.”
“If you’re here to see Rein, he’s gone on business.”
“No. I knew Boyo was out playing war. I’m here for you. Tea, please.”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like some tea while we have our girls’ chit-chat. I do so love a warm drink sweetened with gossip. Since I don’t have many girlfriends, though, I don’t get invitations to juicy gabfests. Do you have lots of BFFs?”
“Few.” Braelyn thought about how cancer had impacted her life. She’d had close friends in high school. Then time marched on. They finished college, moving on to jobs elsewhere with their new families.
