Page 45 of Dancing Moonbeam

His ears filled with a strange sound coming from the forest, growing closer, resonating off the trees and rebounding back to him.

An unseen force crashed violently into Jaytee, lifted him off his feet, then slammed him back down to the ground. As he shouted in pain, he watched as Vicino emerged from the dark forest. The dead vampires not only followed behind him but so did an entire army of bloodsuckers.

Chapter Twelve

Jaytee tried to get up, tried to push to his feet, but his body was too badly damaged. If he shifted into his wolf form, he would fall instantly into a healing sleep, leaving him to die at Vicino’s hands. Normally shifters had no choice. Their animal took over, but Jaytee had always had immense control over his.

I’m so sorry, Moonbeam. I tried. I tried so hard to protect you, but I wasn’t strong enough.

No! Don’t you dare give up! Fight, Jaytee! Fight for your life!

Either Jaytee was now hallucinating or… Raidh?

Fight!

On trembling arms, Jaytee snarled as he pushed to his knees, every inhalation of breath crippling.

Moonbeam was his responsibility, his mate, and Jaytee needed to fight until his last breath.

No one would take what was his. Not a vampire, not society’s punishment for a forbidden mating, or even powerful magic would destroy the one person he cherished most in the world.

Somehow, someway, Jaytee would figure out how to break the curse.

And then he would send Galamir straight to the pits of hell where he belonged, because Jaytee was nothing without his moonbeam.

Just half a soul begging to die.

But first, he needed to somehow win the fight against a powerful vampire and his army of undead minions. How in the fuck was he going to do that?

Vicino’s wicked and cruel laugh was filled with joy. “Stay right there on your knees, donate de sangre.” A snarl rent the air. “My abominations need to feed.”

Jaytee willed his body to give him the strength he needed to get to his feet. If he was going to die, fuck if he would perish on his knees.

With a fierce growl, he rose to his full height, pulled his shoulders back, and glared defiantly at Vicino. “I might die, but I’m taking you with me.”

I love you, my sweet little fairy. We’ll meet again and dance hand in hand like moonbeams through the Milky Way.

Your heart, your soul, and your very existence belong solely to me. I love you, so fight, goddamn you! Fight!

Jaytee swallowed roughly past the raw ache in his throat, his eyes burning with unshed tears. Potty mouth.

He braced himself, knowing he couldn’t win against a horde of undead vampires, but he was determined to go down swinging.

“Jaytee!” He spun his head around at the sound of his dad’s voice. Kalen and Jax raced toward him, just as naked as he was.

“Son, I thought…” Tears brimmed his dad’s eyes. “Damon.”

Clenching his teeth, Jaytee turned his head to face the onslaught. We’re coming, Damon. You won’t spend eternity alone, dear brother. You’ll be surrounded by your family once more.

A flash of light briefly blinded Jaytee. He threw his hand up to shield his eyes as he stumbled back a step, hissing when pain pulsed through his broken body.

When the light faded, he lowered his hand, then his jaw dropped. A tall, brawny warrior stood in front of them, his dark, wavy hair cascading down his back. He had as much facial hair as Jaytee, but it was the pointy ears that shocked him.

The stranger was fae.

The newcomer charged right into battle. Jaytee was stunned. He had never seen anyone fight like that. Somehow the fae had swords in his hands, like they’d just appeared out of nowhere. As the vampires stormed the guy, the stranger flawlessly dodged and struck with his swords, and every one of his strikes caused massive damage. Wow. His moves looked like a carefully orchestrated dance of a seasoned warrior.

Who was this guy?

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