Page 125 of Tangled Hearts

She threw Ryder and Max off of her quickly as Soren and Gray came with their scythes. She stopped them midair and I slapped the gem on her back. She glanced at me before she launched them away from her.

“If he didn’t need you, I would have killed you by now,” Laima snarled, reaching for me, but I rolled away. “You’re more trouble than you are worth.”

She lunged for me as I pulled another gem, activating it as a gust of wind pushed her back. I looked over at Merrick, his heart was slowing and I had to save him. My bond felt tight when I looked around for the guys, but couldn’t see them. The sound of fighting worried me. I didn’t know how many people Laima had that were loyal to her. If the size of her army a few days ago was any indication, then I prayed to the gods and goddesses my mates would keep fighting. I used the gem again, ready to slide to him when she held me in her magic. She tightened her hold on me, walking towards me with disdain in her eyes.

“This time you will know what it's like to be someone's prisoner,” she snarled. “I will leave you in a dark room, alone, with nothing but four walls and when our need for you ends, I will take pleasure in ending your life.”

A sharp pain coursed through my body making me scream. I thrashed against the pain, praying for her to stop. That's when it magnified, the bond felt like it was on fire, and I felt their pain. I looked around for them frantically, but I couldn’t see them. No. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end.

She only wins if she has you.

I didn’t know where the voice came from. I almost thought I had made it up until the pain stopped.

She only wins if she has you.

My body shook with the aftershocks of the pain. The voice was familiar and felt powerful. I shivered as I felt a caress of power, dulling the pain and then I remembered what Addie said.

If she gets her back, she is the catalyst that will start the war, and she needs to be hidden.

It always came back to me. I was the catalyst to the war, and I knew what I had to do. The pain subsided immediately as I took a full breath. The bond was silent, I felt for it over and over again, but nothing. Had they died? Oh gods, I looked up at her.

She didn’t look like the same woman as my anger snapped.

“You will obey,” Laima snarled, getting closer.

“Fuck you,” I yelled.

I looked around seeing Merrick. I took out an invisibility gem, running as I activated it. She hurled magic at me, narrowly missing me, when I saw Merrick’s knife. I slid by him, taking the knife off his belt, when she hit me with her power again.

My body seized up from the pain, but this time I whispered my enchantment and my body glowed as I touched Merrick. The pain dulled to the point where I barely felt anything, staying for a few seconds, hoping that would help him and then I ran to her. Her eyes opened wide when she hurled something else at me, brushing off me easily, until she used her telekinesis to grab me by the neck. I gasped for air, struggling against her power that immediately made my power subside.

“I can’t wait for the day when I get to kill you,” she snarled.

I’m sorry. I love you in every lifetime. I said to my mates

35

RYDER

She was too powerful. We were unprepared and we did not expect those men to turn on her and fight us and her. I don’t even know who the other men were, and if the pack hadn’t been freed, we would have been overrun. Laima’s right hand was strong, we were lucky we killed him. Katarina and her men were taking care of the men outside and if I wasn’t mistaken, the twins' sister was here. I had no idea who she was fighting for, and I prayed she wasn’t on the wrong side.

Using magic was tiresome, but it was like a muscle and each time it was easier to call. Getting zapped with magic was even worse. Laima had magic I had never seen before. It forced me to change back into a man.

I forced myself up, seeing double for a moment. At that moment I saw Oria being held up in the air by her throat. Panic rushed through me as the rest of the guys got up and I ran to her.

I’m sorry. I love you in every lifetime.

Her words confused me until she raised her knife and plunged it in her chest.

“NO!” I yelled, feeling the pain in my own chest.

I was the catalyst. She said, as I continued to run to Laima.

“You stupid girl!” Laima yelled, dropping her, looking around her frantically.

Without me the world can sur— Her voice faded away.

“Oria!” Laima snarled.

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