Page 48 of Ransomed to the World
The fucker grunted and swore but didn’t release his grip on her neck.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to break his hold in time, she thrust out her arm, driving the base of her palm right into his nose. Cartilage cracked, blood gushed, and he lurched back with a yelp, grabbing for his face.
Prem released him and plopped down next to her, tugging on her arm, trying to get her to move. Before she could strike at their attacker again, Logan tackled him, both of them rolling and throwing punches.
But once again, something went wrong. Logan slowed, his movements clumsy, then he dropped to the ground, unable to keep his feet under him.
The neurotoxins…they were hitting him hard.
The guys must have heard the fight and come back.
She jumped to her feet, shaking off the effects, feeling only slightly unsteady. She took a step toward the fight when Camden launched himself at the attacker and took him down first. Letting them fight, Annora grabbed Logan and dragged him out of the way, dropping him down next to Xander and Mason.
The three of them were awake, but barely. And none of them were able to speak, much less stand under their own power. They tried to grab on to her and drag her down with them to keep her safe, but she evaded their grasp.
As she backed away, Xander crawled toward her, swaying and falling flat on his face with a grunt. “Don’t. Go.”
Her gut wrenched at his plea. He ordered. He demanded. He never pleaded. She nibbled on her lip, then gave him a nod. “I will stand back for now. That’s all I can promise.”
She scooped up Prem and held tight when he went to dart back into battle, his tail bristling, then she dropped him down on top of Logan’s chest. “Protect them.”
His tail twitched in agitation, then he sat down and sulked.
She straightened, everything inside her rebelling against standing idle on the sidelines. She fucking hated feeling helpless and had struggled against the hopelessness of it for most of her life. A tremor went through her, muscles locking against the need to move, and she watched the battle with her hands clenched at her sides. Her neck throbbed, still able to feel the asshole’s hands around her throat.
Edgar had drawn his sword, taking swipes where he could, popping in and out of existence to evade his attacker.
“Anthony. Stop.” Camden wrestled with the man but wasn’t able to pin him down. They both wore full armor, trading blows, but neither would back down.
“Sorry, cousin, but there’s a contract out on her.” The skinnier man, Anthony, spit out a mouthful of blood and smiled, his teeth stained red. He wasn’t as good a fighter as Camden, a number of nicks and cuts already decorating his body, but there was a cocky confidence to him that warned of danger.
Something in his lifeless expression screamed killer.
He had a taste for it and enjoyed his control over death.
Long, dangerous spikes, more durable than any diamond, extended out from his armor. One strike, and he could hurt or even kill Camden. The two men circled each other warily. Anthony snapped off one of his spikes, holding it like a blade, venom dripping from the tip. It didn’t take more than a few seconds before the stump at his elbow began to stretch and grow back, as lethal as ever.
“I can’t let you harm her. She’s my mate.” Camden ducked under the slash, whirling to slam his fist into Anthony’s side, right into the tender ribs under his arm. “If you make me choose between you, I will always choose her.”
Anthony laughed, his arm tucked close as he circled and shook off the pain. “Impossible.”
When Camden didn’t join him, he dropped his hands on his hips and jerked his head toward her. “Prove it. Bite her.”
Camden recoiled, his mouth tightening, and he shook his head. “This will have to do.” He pulled up his sleeve and showed the mating tattoo. Annora held out her arm, showing him the same mark.
“Not good enough, cousin.” Anthony snorted, twirling his spike between his fingers. “You know the rules. The only way the others will accept her as a mate and call off the contract is if you can prove your claim. Bite her, and I’ll cancel the contract myself.”
He crossed his arms, the cocky bastard so sure of himself that he smirked.
Annora huffed and rolled her eyes. “Just do it.”
Anthony chuckled, but Camden whipped his head around to glare at her. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“We don’t have time for this.” She threw up her hands in exasperation. “Are we mates?”
“Of course.” He scowled, a stormy expression darkening his face, as if she was questioning their bond.
“Then it’s no big deal.” She stepped toward him, tugging up her sleeve and offering him her arm.
