Page 32 of A Second Roar for Love

At that instant, he knew why the demon had left. It was going for Ellie. She was sacrificing herself for him.

He tried to move, tried to run to her, but all he did was twitch on the ground. He begged his tiger to get his ass up and going, but that didn’t help any.

The demon approached Ellie, but instead of killing her, the beast stood in front of her for a second. Reed heard the demon say, “I have a better idea for you. Something more fun.” With that, it evaporated back into its cloud form and surrounded Ellie like her own personal fog. Then it was gone.

What just happened?

Everything was perfectly silent. No cricket chirping, no bats flying. Dead silence.

Ellie bent sideways and pounded her hand against her head like trying to drain water out of her ear. “Get out, you long-toe-nailed, zit-covered freak.”

What was going on? Had the demon gotten into her head? If it was anything like being a shifter with a dual persona, then maybe she could control it.

Ellie spun around and threw a blue ball of magic at a building, destroying the storefront.

Then again, maybe she needed some help.

“Ahh,” a strange voice came from her throat, “such power.” She, now the demon, spread one of her arms out and turned to Reed. “Thank you, cat, for creating such a wonderful host.”

Her other fist then slammed down on her hips. “I don’t think so, buddy,” came her own voice, “You don’t have all the power here.”

Reed stood mesmerized as Ellie shouted at herself. If shifters were like this, then he needed to have a talk with his other half.

Her brows lifted. “Is that so,” the croaking voice said. “Watch this.”

As his beautiful mate rose into the air, spewing electric bolts from her fingers, the townsfolk ran, screaming. It threw balls of light at buildings, destroying years of hard work and labors of love. Explosions tore apart the weathered cobblestone streets that had existed since the town’s inception.

Luna, Celeste, and Kade arrived at his side, helping him up.

“Reed,” Kade said, “we have to stop her before she turns the town to dust. Or worse.”

Reed looked to Luna. “What can I do? How do you get that thing out of her head?”

Her expression was devastated. “There’s nothing we can do against something so strong. We weren’t prepared for such an event. Warlocks and black-magic mages we can fight, but this…” She shook her head. “The only way to force out a demon is to take away the host.”

“You mean kill her?” Reed was incredulous. “No. Never!”

“Reed,” Celeste said, “she is suffering. Look at what it’s making her magic do. She’s fighting him, but for how long? And how many lives will be lost if it isn’t stopped?”

He buried his head in his hands. Was this what it came down to? Having her back only to lose her again.

From Ellie’s fingers, lightning shot out toward a group of mothers with children. Reed gasped. Ellie certainly hadn’t done that. He had to do something.

How could he end her life when she was the only thing he lived for? But Celeste was right. Through their mate bond, he sensed her anguish. He knew she wouldn’t want this to go on. He could at least do what she would want him to do – take away the ability for evil to take even more.

Kade placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll take care of it. Just give me your service weapon.”

The alpha was going to shoot her? Currently, she was twenty feet in the air, so that was the only logical way.

“No,” he said, barely able to speak, “I’ll do it. I love her and owe it to her.”

Luna fetched his belt and holster and placed them beside him as he finally made it to his feet. He lifted his gun and aimed it at her. He closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to the place where his love for Ellie burned brightest.

As a tear rolled down his cheek, he said, “Elowen Theren, I love you with all my soul. Hopefully, someday, we will be together again and you can forgive me.” He let that love flow through him as he pulled the trigger.

As soon as the locket left her hand, the demon stood in front of her. Its grin worried her.

Now, what a strange feeling to have another entity with her in the same body. Was this how shifters felt with their dual nature?

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