Page 10 of Fated to the Damned

And for some reason, it feels like it’s gutting me.

I don’t even think. Pinning my wings in closer, I tell Lev, “Get to the wildspont base.”

“Wait– Nikolai!”

But I’ve already taken off, my wings beating heavily and then tucking into my body so that I dip through the air. The sound erupts again, closer, and my heart feels like it is trying to claw out of my chest.

“Find the base!” I shout back, knowing that Lev will do as he is told.

The cries grow louder and more agonized as I fly recklessly through the forest, weaving between the trees. It doesn’t take me much longer to recognize that the screams belong to a woman. Whoever she is, she's in unimaginable pain.

The sound claws at my heart, spurring me faster through the canopy. I have to find her. Have to help, though I don't understand this compulsion.

Then I see them – a pale man leaned over a woman pinned beneath him on the ground. My vision flashes red at the sight. No wings mark this man as vrakken, but his fangs are buried in the woman's shoulder as she struggles weakly.

I angle into a dive, coming up behind the pair. The woman is human, terror and pain etched on her delicate features. Her wide eyes are already starting to roll back in her head, but her body keeps striving against the pain. She’s strong, that’s for sure.

Rage ignites within me. I land in a crouch several feet away, my wings tucking instinctively as every part of my body screams to stop him. The vrakken's head snaps up, blood coating his grin. He starts to rise from the woman's still writhing form.

My vision blazes crimson once more. Every instinct roars for me to rip this creature apart, to make him pay for harming her. Blood pounds in my ears, fury choking my throat.

But I harness the rage, leashing it tightly. The woman needs me coherent. With immense effort, I remain still, muscles coiled to spring, waiting to see the vrakken's next move. My priority is getting her away from here safely.

The vrakken prowls forward, circling me. His lips peel back to bare blood-stained fangs. "She's mine, winged one."

I mirror his movements, positioning myself between him and the woman. "Not anymore."

With an enraged hiss, he leaps at me, hands out to grab me. But I'm faster. I spin left and his hands swipe through empty air. As he lands, I smash my palm between his shoulder blades. He crashes face-first to the ground with a satisfying crunch.

Before I can subdue him further, the woman lets out another tortured wail behind me. She thrashes weakly, lost in agony despite her unconscious state.

I'm at her side in an instant, conflicted. Soothing her pain is critical, but to do so requires giving this woman my bite. Though humans were meant for us, I’ve never tried it.

A part of me fears that I won’t be able to stop myself once I have a taste.

As she screams again, the debate ends. I bare my fangs and strike, piercing the tender flesh of her wrist, her veins pounding against the skin. Her flesh is feverish, and a new wave of anger hits me.

Every vrakken has the ability to numb their prey. It’s meant to aid in hunting, but many do it for the comfort of the humans. Most find it to be enjoyable, euphoric even, and this vrakken denied her, left her to writhe in pain instead.

He’s going to fucking pay.

Relief washes over me as her cries fade, her body starting to settle as my numbing agent spreads through her. Soft moans escape her, stirring something new in me as she seems to take pleasure in what I’m giving her.

But then her unique taste explodes on my tongue – sweet yet tinged with spice, utterly addictive. I swallow reflexively, savoring it despite myself.

A rumbling purr echoes through my chest. I know I should withdraw, but cannot make myself pull away. Not until her racing pulse steadies under my lips. Only then do I retract my fangs, shaking off the hypnotic draw of her blood.

A low snarl behind me reminds me we are not safe. I turn, wings flaring, to face the furious vrakken. He will not have this woman. I will make sure he will never think of threatening her again.

The vrakken surges to his feet with an enraged snarl, blood oozing from his nose. He launches at me, swiping for my face.

I catch one wrist but he rakes his hand across my cheek before I can twist his arm. Blood sprays as he lays open the skin from temple to jaw. The pain only fuels my fury.

He screams as I wrench the broken arm behind his back, then smash my elbow into his shoulder. Another crunch rings out as I dislocate the joint.

"She is mine," I growl as he howls.

With renewed strength, the vrakken lunges, raking his claws across my chest and abdomen. Pain explodes through me as he shreds through skin and muscle, nearly disemboweling me.

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