Page 51 of Lion's Prize
We fought side by side, and it was incredible. Whenever she got a hold of a creature, no matter how she did, its power seemed to fade away. It was easier to attack when they were weaker, and we made quick work of the one, and then the next that came in through the window.
Dagger’s bear crashed into the room, a creature riding it on its back, claws jammed into Dagger’s shoulder, and he made yelping sounds.
At the same time, Uma’s voice drifted to us.
“Help her!” Kinley cried out. “I’ve got this.”
I had to trust that she was okay. I’d seen her fight; she could do it again. Before I left the room, Kinley jumped onto Dagger’s back and wrapped her arms around the monster that rode him. I didn’t see the aftermath, but I could guess.
More beasts were in the house than I’d anticipated. I had to fight my way to Uma’s room and barely got there.
When I did, she was on the ground, and another fae stood over her. It blasted dark magic at Uma that held her down, and there was nothing she could do.
The dark fae had bright red hair and green eyes that burned so brightly, it almost hurt to look at them. Her face was twisted, and her cheeks were sallow, her eyes sunken. It looked like I was looking at a skull.
I roared loudly and stormed toward the fae.
Before I could attack, she turned her dark magic toward me, and it slammed me into the wall. I writhed, trying to fight it, but her magic was like a vice.
She could only keep her attention on one person at a time, it seemed, because when she grabbed onto me and held me in place, Uma got up from the floor.
“No!” she shouted, her voice deeper and filled with rage. “This ismyturf.”
She threw magic at the fae, and the dark fae turned around. It was suddenly a fair fight, with magic flying back and forth.
“More of them are coming, Braxton!” Uma shouted above the roar of the magic the two fae threw at each other. “You have to get out of here. We can’t beat them!”
I didn’t want to give in. It wasn’t what I did.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Uma said. “But if we don’t get out and regroup somewhere, we’re going to lose everyone. I’mserious!” She slammed her magic into the dark fae at the same time.
I watched as the dark fae countered the magic with ease, throwing it back, and it slammed into Uma so that she flew backward and hit the wall. She gasped for air, struggling to breathe.
Another creature came into the room, and I attacked. I managed to kill it, but it wasn’t easy—I was getting tired.
When I stepped into the hallway, I saw more of them streaming through the front door. A whole army was on its way, and we couldn’t do it. Uma was right; we had to get out of here.
“Come on!” Dagger shouted ahead of us.
“Where’s Kinley?”
“She’s already outside! We’ll meet her there. Just come! Bring Uma!”
Uma stumbled out of the room, but the dark fae yanked her back.
“Go!” she screamed.
When I ran through the living room, a wall of dark creatures lined up. Behind them, fire burned. I stilled as flames licked up the wooden walls of my cabin.
No!
“Braxton!” Dagger shouted, and I knew he was right. I had to go.
More flames came from the kitchen.
When we ran outside, I headed for the perimeter, running after Dagger. The creatures chased us, a wall of darkness following us. They were catching up, the blackness and dark magic nipping at our heels.
When I was between the trees, I spun around.
