Page 28 of Angel Unchained

Knox

Just a little longer… a fucking bit closer. I gritted my teeth as the electricity pulsed through my bones. I held onto to the energy, focusing it.

I could do little else as I welded my control over the power. Talking required too much effort. Moving too. I took shallow breaths, laying as still as I could until the right time. Until my enemy was within reach.

I hoped Samantha would figure out what I wanted or I’d have to heal her from the aftermath.

“Is he dead?” one of the Roulex asked in their clicking language.

Samantha leaned over me. Her sweet breath fanned my face and made me nearly lose my concentration. But this was my one chance. If I didn’t do this right, we were both doomed.

I had to see her free. Had to get her out of this place. She’d probably hate me forever, but it was a chance I had to take. The least I could do was buy her some time.

This was a one-trick show. Because after this the Roulex would have another of my secrets—each of my kind had a special ability outside of healing—I’d always let the tazer flow through me before so they wouldn’t suspect.

But there hadn’t been a chance like this one. Where freedom was so close. Where they couldn’t sedate me through the bracelets or use their tracking beam to hold me in place.

I reached up, cupping her cheek, and whispered, “Close your eyes.”

Then I pushed her face into my chest, unleashing the currents of my power along with the electricity. The burst of light was like lightning, coursing through everyone around me.

Except for Samantha who was safe in my arms.

Any Roulex the streaks didn’t get, the bright glow of power blinded them. Had no idea how long the effects would last. But we weren’t waiting around to find them.

“What was that?” She pushed up when I released her.

The Roulex rolled on the floor, screaming. Others were charred globs of flesh.

I gathered the last bit of my strength to stand, wavering on my feet.

Samantha clung to my side and helped me to stand.

“Get me to an opening or a window,” I said in a gruff voice. My energy was draining fast and furious.

Nearby, prisoners roared and the shrill of Roulex’s tazers went off. I wished to help them, but I had to get Samantha out of here, before it was too late.

We found a narrow window that faced a sheer cliff. The bastards knew how to secure their prisons.

“There they are,” a Roulex snarled.

No time to pray that my wings would work long enough for us to sail across.

“Grab onto me.”

Samantha didn’t argue or fret, she placed her arms around my neck. We squeezed out the window. The jagged stones cutting into my arms and wings.

Then I dived forward. Taking a leap of faith.

We tumbled head over feet as I struggled to get my wings to open. Samantha clutched me tighter.

I got one wing open and we barrel-rolled in the air. The ground coming up fast.

Using all my might, I forced the other wing open, but it was too late.

I tucked Samantha to me, rotating us, as we collided into the ground. Rocks and sticks ripped my wings to shreds. Pain worse than when I was tortured dug into me. And still, we skidded along the ground until the flesh was gouged from my back.

My breaths were ragged. Samantha’s tears coated my chest.

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