Page 48 of Ruthless Fae
An electric jolt shot from the base of my neck down my spine, and I collapsed. My arms and legs convulsed out of control as pain ripped through me, weaving itself into my muscles, my organs, my very bones.
I screamed in agony, my vision growing dark. I sensed Vaughn nearby, whimpering. Was he also experiencing the same pain? I reached in his direction, my hand jerking as I tried to find him. We were done for. If only I could touch his fur as I slipped away, I wouldn't feel alone.
The pain redoubled. No matter how desperately I tried to hold on to the last shreds that remained, the world faded.
Then the pain stopped, and I felt nothing at all.
I’m dead.
The thought only lasted for an instant before a dull ache settled heavily on me. By degrees, the growls and scuffling sounds of the horde reentered my awareness.
No, not dead. I was still lying on the ground, my body wasted, my legs and arms as limp as wet rope.
Something wet lapped at my cheek. I opened my eyes to a black, shiny nose. Vaughn was licking me and nudging me, trying to wake me up. I came to with a jerk and sat. Vaughn jumped back and continued urging me. This time, the top of his head nudging my side.
Go, go. I could almost hear his words.
What? How? Where is Karen?
Chasing away all the questions, I got to my feet, legs trembling, knees folding inwardly, and knocking against each other. Vaughn pushed his large wolf body against me, propping me up, trying to help me, but Karen’s attack had drained me. I had no strength, and my muscles felt as if they’d turned to pulp. I collapsed to my knees, one arm hooked around Vaughn’s soft neck. The world spun, and I didn’t know which way was up.
The sounds from the horde had become more frantic and savage.
I felt unconsciousness inching its way closer again, trying to claim me. I fought it, focusing my eyes on a crackling blue cloud of electric energy. As I struggled to decipher its meaning, I noticed the storm originated at Karen’s fingers, which she was pointing at one of her mutant soldiers, trying to keep it at bay as it did its best to reach her.
The creature she fought had a ridged spine, leathery gray skin, a horned head, and dogged determination. It seemed bent on reaching the woman who, only moments ago, had been controlling it. I wondered vaguely if even in its addled state, it knew to hate Karen, to blame her for its suffering.
Good, the Habermanns army will destroy Karen and hopefully the evil twins too.
At least, I could die with that bit of knowledge giving me a measure of satisfaction.
Vaughn growled and snapped his head to one side, staring pointedly at me, then at his back.
He wanted me to climb up.
With the last of my strength, I grabbed handfuls of his fur and pushed up with my legs. Awkwardly, I flung my leg over and mounted him, my body lying along his spine as my feet dangled, and I weakly held onto his neck.
As soon as I was halfway secure, Vaughn took off running. My head bounced against his shoulder blades as he put distance between the creatures and us.
With one last leap from Vaughn, we went over a ridge and the battle slid from view. The last thing I saw was the shining dome and the chaos at its base. Just as I lost consciousness, I prayed to all the gods for the horde to devour Karen alive.
Chapter Twenty
I wokeup in excruciating pain.
Even Ronnie, with his magic fingers, couldn’t make it all go away. Back in the caves with our friends, they fussed over me as I lay on my side on the dirt, trying not to show how much it hurt. Vaughn was already a mess, pacing, telling Ronnie to try the healing spell again. He knew about magical wounds. One had almost killed him several days ago. My injury didn’t seem that grievous, but I couldn’t pinpoint its exact nature, and it made everything harder, including trying to figure out what to do next.
What could we do now? It all felt so hopeless.
We did our best to explain what we’d seen to the group. Vaughn told them about the mutant army, gathering gasps and shocked looks from Ronnie and Becca. My aunt didn’t flinch. I had a feeling she’d learned well about the Habermanns’ horrific plans and experiments during her time in the dome. And Sinasre and Bael had already experienced what it felt like to be manipulated. More of the same couldn’t shock them.
“We have to get them here to this cave,” Ronnie said, gesturing back to the fountain that had healed Bael and Sinasre. “We can heal them.”
“We thought about that,” Vaughn said. “Tally tried to get the helmet, but Karen is far too strong. She has magic.”
More shocked gasps as Vaughn explained that our biggest enemy was also a very powerful witch. I watched their faces as they realized our situation had gone from bad to worse.
“But why did she hide her magic before? From what you guys tell me, she could have blasted us so many times.” Ronnie sat in the dirt, filthy, and worn-looking. This cave, this island, was taking its toll on him. On all of us.
