Page 80 of Shackled to the World
Conscious of the guys getting closer, she grabbed the first reckless plan that popped into her head—bait.
She would wait for Erickson to get close, then strike a killing blow and hope he didn’t take her out as well. She was tempted to drag his ass into the afterworld, but she wasn’t sure what awaited her.
She would save the nuclear option as a last resort.
As Erickson circled her, his blood-soaked shirt clung to his torso and glistened ominously in the dim light. She allowed him near enough to land a couple blows, then refused to let her body heal. It didn’t take long for her to begin bleeding like a slaughtered pig.
“I don’t need your obedience.” Lust gleamed in his eyes at the sight of her blood. He lifted his hand, licking the dark crimson off his claws with a look of ecstasy. “I’ll take it. Power thrums in your blood. Unlike the others, you’re a never-ending fountain. I can drink you dry, and you’ll come back to feed me over and over.”
But Annora wasn’t sure she would be back.
Had Edgar been the one who forced her back to the human realm, or was it the afterworld itself? If Erickson killed her, it could very well be permanent, and she refused to die unless she took him with her. “You’re addicted to blood, and it’s driven you insane.”
Erickson threw back his head and laughed, the booming sound reverberating across the battlefield. “I’ve never been saner. I’ve been killing for years, and none of these fools even suspected. Shifter blood has allowed me to heal faster and made me stronger. Only it wears off.”
He scowled, clearly pissed to have that rush of power denied him. “That’s when I discovered your blood. Your uncle gave me a sample, and I created an elixir that lasts even longer.” Practically slavering, he stared at her. “But imagine how strong I could be when I have your pure blood pumping through my system! I will be unstoppable. I will be immortal.”
It took everything in her to remain still and ignore the way the darkness nipped and stung along her wounds, demanding that she heal.
A wickedly dangerous idea slammed into her.
He wanted her blood—what would happen if she gave it to him?
One little taste and he already craved it.
If she could somehow get more of her blood into his body, she wouldn’t need to lay a hand on him to end this. While he might be strong, he wasn’t built to withstand the powers of the afterworld. If called, the darkness would respond to the demands of her blood.
She was staking her life on it.
The only problem was she had no clue how much blood was needed. To be on the safe side, the more the better. She’d wait until the last moment to test her theory.
Putting her plan in action, she pressed her hand against the wicked cut along her thigh, forcing more blood to spill between her fingers and coat her hands. When he got close enough, she lashed out, smearing her blood on whatever skin she could reach, gasping when his claws raked down her side in a move that nearly gutted her.
She staggered away, dropping to one knee when she lost her balance, then glanced up to see his smug face gloating down at her, and her soul shriveled at the malicious gleam in his eyes.
“Oh, don’t worry, dear. I have no intention of killing you—yet.” His smile vanished, leaving only cruelty behind. “Not until you suffer for what you’ve cost me. We need some time alone, time that won’t be interrupted by your pets.”
Heart slamming against her ribs, her gaze shot past him to scan the battleground. She spotted her guys instantly—they were cutting a wide swath through the troops, and she sucked in a sharp breath of relief at seeing them alive.
“Take down her mates.” Erickson’s command resounded across the battlefield, the order so full of power, the battle around her halted, and fighters from both sides turned toward her team.
Her men halted their charge, going back-to-back as they surveyed the threat. Their faces were hard masks of determination while they waited for the first wave of attack. There was no fear or worry, only pure determination to reach her. Something inside her shriveled when snarls rippled through the air, and the different packs all lunged at once.
Edgar, despite all his power, went down hard, the expression on his face resigned…like he’d never expected to come out of the battle alive. Only a few yards away, the rest of the men were buried under an avalanche of bodies.
She felt each blow, each slash of claws.
Felt bones crunch and splinter.
Beyond the pile, she saw Greenwood and a handful of men work their way toward the writhing mass, flinging people away right and left. His gaze met hers, and she saw the devastating truth in his eyes—he would never reach them in time.
He would try, but he would fail.
She gave him a nod of understanding, silently urging him to try anyway.
Greenwood bowed his head in acknowledgment, bringing his fist up to settle over his heart—a vow he would do everything in his power to save her boys.
It had to be enough.
