Page 79 of Shackled to the World
Energy filled up her body like she was drowning. As she gasped for air, darkness spilled down her throat. Every nerve tingled painfully to life, her body going weightless until she could no longer feel the earth beneath her feet.
When she opened her eyes, the roars and snarls of battle came rushing back. Blood landed on her like mist, so thick she could taste it with each breath. The sharp scent of pain and fear clogged the air.
Her body became heavy—solid—and her feet slowly touched the earth. Only then did she become aware of Erickson watching avidly, licking his lips like he was trying to figure out how to take her apart and get to the gooey insides.
“I told your uncle he was a fool. He should’ve turned you over to me immediately, then all of this could’ve been avoided.” He studied her clinically, seeing her only as a commodity to be owned. While her uncle loved torturing and enforcing his dominance, she suddenly wondered if hisloving caremight have saved her from something worse.
When she stared at Erickson, pure insanity looked back. Whatever was left of his soul was fractured and twisted. His lust for death and blood was bottomless.
He thrived on it.
Nothing would ever convince him to surrender.
The only thing that would satisfy him was the complete and total decimation of anyone and everyone who thought to oppose him.
He honestly believed the lives of others were his for the taking…because he could.
She had only one choice—he needed to die.
“That’s cute.” Annora smiled at Erickson, allowing the afterworld to weave through her fingers. “You actually believed I would have obeyed.”
Erickson’s smile was all teeth, his eyes completely devoid of amusement…or any sign of life for that matter. “There are ways to make people submit.”
He was more of a monster in human form than any animal could hope to be. No wonder her uncle got along with him so well. She knew the instant the guys spotted her. Mason let out a roar that shook the air and charged forward. With each step his form bulked up more, his big frame knocking down and scattering anyone unlucky enough to get in his way.
The guys must have been used to the tactic, because they quickly fell in line in the empty space he left behind and followed the path of destruction. They were determined to get to her, keep her safe, and were willing to pay for it with their lives. Erickson would use them against her, and she couldn’t allow that.
She had five minutes tops before they reached her.
She hadn’t even finished the thought when Edgar winked out of existence and appeared at her side. Black smoke clung to him, curling around him like a lover’s caress. Before she had a chance to open her mouth, he attacked the wolves sneaking up behind her.
Only there were too many to hold off for long.
It was time to act.
A blood-splattered Sadie appeared in an explosion of black dust. Her eyes immediately latched on to Edgar. She turned and cheekily saluted Annora with her sword. “I got him. Go do your thing.”
Without waiting for a response, Sadie charged into battle, hacking at everyone who dared get too close to Edgar. Annora hesitated, then took a leap of faith. Although she wasn’t sure if she trusted the girl, she knew without a doubt that the phantom would protect Edgar within an inch of her life. It was good enough for Annora.
Pushing away her thoughts of battle, she focused on Erickson.
She would be no match to him in a fair fight.
Good thing she had no intention of fighting fair.
Grasping onto the darkness, she threw herself forward—and appeared behind him.
Before she could land a blow, he whirled and snarled at her. He lashed out, claws slicing through air, and she barely ducked in time to miss having her throat torn out. She tried twice more, but his reflexes were too sharp for him to be taken by surprise.
They were too evenly matched.
The vengeful side of her was perfectly fine with destroying him at the cost of her own life, but her heart twinged at the thought of losing her men.
It was much too soon.
She hadn’t had enough time with them.
Then there was no more time to think because Erickson snarled and charged. For every blow she landed, he got in two. After a nasty slash that nearly gutted her, Annora realized this plan of attack wouldn’t work. They were both healing too fast.
