Page 112 of Ransomed to the World
Edgar went sailing backwards, and landed with a heavy thump, struggling to rise.
Daxion stalked him relentlessly, kicking him in the face when he tried to stand, flipping him onto his back. Prem dashed out of the darkness and charged Daxion, latching onto the man’s hand and biting down, shaking his head back and forth like a dog.
The phantom cursed, then reached over and grabbed the ferret in his fist, ripping him free, and tossed him as hard as he could. Not to be deterred, Daxion grabbed the sword with both hands, raised his arms over Edgar’s prone form, and her heart threatened to explode out of her chest.
Not happening!
It was her turn to protect Edgar.
Annora surged forward, raising her blades. She didn’t have their skill, but if she struck hard and fast, and ended the fight quickly, she could finally finish this.
Decision made, hoping to take him by surprise, Annora tossed one of her blades at him. It sliced through the air, and Daxion easily knocked it aside with his own weapon, forgetting about Edgar. She was almost upon him when he brought up the tip of his sword, the tip catching her in her side.
She gritted her teeth as momentum propelled her farther along the blade. Ignoring the blood spilling down her side, she struck hard and fast, slashing him across the throat before sinking her blade deep in his shoulder.
Mason let out a roar of rage, the room shaking beneath her feet as he completely lost his shit and came after her. Almost simultaneously, the screeching caw of a giant predator thundered in the air, wind whipping around her as Xander approached.
The longer she remained speared on the blade, the faster she weakened, leaving her almost paralyzed to do anything but catch her breath. Daxion gave her a malicious grin, his wounds healing slowly.
Hers did not.
He held her tight, uncaring that her dagger was still sticking out of his chest. He was more interested in keeping his blade firmly planted in her flesh, every second draining her faster and faster.
Shouting erupted in the room as chaos exploded. Livia materialized in a splash of darkness with a vindictive smile. Before Daxion could even pull his sword free, the reaper swung her sword, taking his head in one blow. “Enjoy the dead zone, dickhead.”
Shock left Daxion’s features, his face going slack. As he began to disintegrate, he clutched at Annora, his arms swiping clear through her before he vanished in a puff of smoke.
The moment he disappeared, the sword vanished with him, leaving her gasping, and a fresh spill of blood gushing down her side. With nothing left to hold her up, her legs folded.
Gentle arms caught her close before she hit the ground. The world swam in and out of focus, the sounds of battle dulling to a roar. Her limbs felt heavy, the darkness inside her turning to lead as it slowly thickened in her veins.
The guys surrounded her, completely freaking out when blood began to pool beneath her. It hurt her to see them so devastated. The pain gradually lessened, but it left a gaping hole behind, like pieces of her soul were missing.
Then darkness took her.
Annora glanced around the inky darkness, wondering if she was still alive.
“You’re not dead, though it may feel like it.” Amusement lightened Eliana’s words as she stepped out of the gloom. A huge-ass man emerged behind her, his size rivaling that of even Mason, and he laid a possessive hand around Eliana’s waist, his bushy beard only serving to enhance his good looks.
Eliana leaned back against the guy, resting her hand over the top of the arms he’d wrapped around her, and smiled up at him. “This is my mate, Dwight.”
Mates.
A pang went through her chest at the thought of never seeing the guys again, and Annora crossed her arms over her waist to hold in the hurt that threatened to eat her alive. She unglued her tongue from the roof of her mouth. “Why am I here?”
“This is where bridges and their mates go when they’re close to death,” Eliana informed her gently.
Annora’s breath left her in a whoosh, her insides turning hollow, then she shored up her resolve. “How do I get back?”
Dwight broke into a smile. “I can see why you like her.”
“Shush.” Eliana flapped her hands at him to shoo him away, her laughter fading. “You chose your mates well. I can feel them pulling you back to the land of the living. Not many would risk their lives.”
Sheer panic tightened its hands around her throat, and she lunged forward, grabbing Eliana’s arm. “How do I stop them? I won’t put them at risk.”
The world trembled around them as she fought to pull away from the link. It was like trying to peel off her own skin.
“Stop!” Eliana grabbed her arms tight, giving her a little shake. “They’ll be fine, but if you fight it, you will only hurt them.”
