Page 12 of Mortal Curse (Shadow Shifter)

Thick opaque mist rose in the air as his glowing yellow eyes zeroed in on her. “You won’t find me as hospitable as Raine. He gave you a chance, one you didn’t deserve. You are a plague upon our species, as the wolf clan’s alpha, I plan to eradicate you.”

The undertone of death in his voice made her shiver within the shadow. The malevolence and truth were undeniable.

Dannika couldn’t fight Maddock, at least not while he was on his game. The one thing she’d learned on the streets was how to unsettle an opponent, though.

“I suppose you think you’re badass. You’re big and strong. I get it. Men like you get off on making others their bitch. So, I’ll tell you right now—I’d rather die than be yours.”

Maddock hissed. “You ungrateful little wench. You have no idea the gift you were given. This is why you deserve to die.” He looked her over. “But I will give you one chance. Kneel before me and beg me to kill you quickly.”

Dannika laughed. “Wow. You’re a special kind of stupid, aren’t you?”

He didn’t move. He dissolved. Then reformed before her, lunging at her throat.

CHAPTER6

Dannika landed on her back as the air in her lungs evaporated. She took several quick gasps before she realized that air wasn’t a requirement in her shadow form. The pain racking her body, however, was all too real. She rolled to her stomach before standing, looking for her attacker. He was invisible.

“Cheap move. Don’t tell me you are afraid of a girl,” she said in her most mocking voice.

He materialized in front of her. She would never admit it to him, but the technique he used to disappear and reappear was impressive. She’d almost admire him if he wasn’t trying to kill her.

“Disrespectful little witch. Your time is up.” He swiped at her with long curved claws.

She jumped back with lightning speed, but barely evaded his blow. Her gut tightened with the realization of her predicament. She couldn’t escape and no amount of smack talk would combat the monster before her.

The fact that she was a monster too wasn’t lost on her. Unfortunately, she was an inexperienced one.

Maddock smiled. “Now you understand. You are a rabbit surrounded by wolves.”

She tried not to retaliate, but not even a monster or death could erase a lifetime on the streets. “I realize you’re the biggest asshole here, but...”

He hit her so hard she choked on her own spit. She landed face down in the dirt. She wiped a blade of grass from her mouth. Before she could get up on her own, he yanked her back.

His hand was around her throat. “This ends now.”

She elbowed his stomach and pulled free. His claws scraped across her collarbone. Lancing fire cut into her chest, causing her to fight for breath. Black blood dripped over her hand.

Maddock’s yellow eyes pulsed with excitement. “That pain ripping through your chest is shadow venom. A true warrior is immune to its effects. Look at you. Pathetic.”

Dannika had never been one to pray, but the fire burned a hole in her chest as the monster before her prepared to kill her. She sent a silent prayer.

Maddock crouched. His claws lengthened from his knuckles. Her imminent death reflected in those unnerving yellow eyes, a beacon of death surrounded by black mist.

There was only one choice: to accept her death and go down fighting. She crouched, turning inward for every ounce of power her new form allotted her. This time, the pain was welcome, as her claws extended from her knuckles.

A murmur of approval and surprise erupted from the audience surrounding them.

Maddock smiled before he attacked.

Dannika knew she would only get one shot. She faked to the right before spinning to the left and slashing Maddock across his shoulder. He growled and backed away.

Maddock touched the gash at his shoulder. Silver oozed from the wound before it turned black and healed. “A reaper wound.”

Raine stepped between them. “Her eyes are green. She is not a reaper.”

Arguments erupted around them. Witch. Miracle. Possibilities. So many conversations happened at once that she couldn’t filter them. The only thing they had in common was confusion.

Maddock touched the healing wound. “It felt like a reaper wound, but healed much faster. She has trace amounts of their poison in her blood.”

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