Page 145 of The Lycans: Vol Four

“I’ll explain it all once I have you out of this shithole and safe.” One more kiss to the crown of my head before he grunted something low in passing to the demon and Angelis but never stopped.

With the Leandrean gone and the threat of being thrust into another world no longer an issue—at least as far as I knew and hoped—all I wanted to do was get the hell out here.

After a few moments I squirmed out of his hold. Although he was quick, even with carrying my weight, I knew if we had to fight, it would be safer and more practical to have him not holding me.

He gave a disgruntled sound as I slid down his body, even tightened his hold on me for a second, but then he took hold of my hand and we were moving again.

He kept me behind his body, using himself as a shield as he led us out of the facility. Smoke was starting to fill the corridors so we hunched over more but never slowed our pace.

And then Sebastian stilled, a deep growl vibrating out of him. He reached behind him and grabbed my waist, his fingers digging into my skin as he pulled me against his back.

I didn’t need to look around him to know there was a threat. I could smell the Otherworld creature, a scent that was far too familiar.

Torvic.

I glanced around Sebastian’s shoulder to see the Diablos standing five feet away, his head cocked to the side, his eyes narrowed as he stared down Sebastian.

We didn’t have time for this. If they got into a pissing match, no matter how strong and powerful Sebastian was, Torvic was a damn beast. He also had sharp teeth, hands the size of damn clubs, and let’s not forget his razor-sharp, claw-tipped wings.

“You…” Sebastian said that lone word on a growl. There was no mistaking the menace behind it. “…took my mate from me.” He squeezed his hand around my hip so tight I felt a sting of pain.

He adjusted me so my back was to the wall beside us.

Oh Gods, he was really doing this. But then again this was our only way out. And of course Torvic was blocking our exit.

The Diablos didn’t speak, but even though I was behind Sebastian, I could see past his shoulder to spot Torvic grinning.

The two males faced off with each other, shifting ever so slightly into positions that were ones of attack.

I felt the back of my neck tingle and found myself looking behind me and down the hall we’d just come from.

First I didn’t say anything, but after a second a human came limping around the corner. Blood and soot covered him, and I could see he was bleeding on his temple from a massive gash.

My heart stopped, my stomach felt like it was suddenly full of lead, and my throat tightened.

I knew him. Gods… I knew him. He haunted my nightmares and had stolen my happiness.

They called him V.

The human male stopped and looked at me, our gazes locking, his nostrils flaring as he narrowed his eyes. He smirked, just the corner of his mouth lifting up as he puckered his lips.

I was vaguely aware of Torvic and Sebastian speaking in harsh, clipped words behind me. Slowly I heard a buzz in my ears. Everything else faded away as I was once again taken back to that night.

I felt the pain all over again. It was a burning, tearing sensation, my back screaming out even though the wounds had healed.

But I wouldn’t allow myself to go back to that darkness. I hadn’t had a nightmare since that one time in the cave when Sebastian had first seen me break down. He made me feel so much more than the darkness that had consumed me for the better part of a year.

As my head cleared, I heard what Sebastian and Torvic were saying.

“I have no interest in your female. She was a means to an end in that fucking pit of despair.”

Sebastian took a menacing step forward.

“But now that I’m out of there…” Torvic chuckled. “I have a whole world of females to explore.”

I didn’t take my focus off him. I couldn’t, not as he moved a step closer, his grin spreading, the large knife he held catching the light overhead and glinting. Blood dripped off the blade and my stomach clenched.

“If she was my female, I certainly would be more focused on keeping her safe right here and now than shit that happened in another time. Literally.”

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