Page 106 of Frosted Torment

Then, with another strike, Vallen took Vincent’s other wing, leaving him convulsing in the middle of the field. Vallen lifted his sword and, in one final movement, struck downward,removing Vincent’s head. It rolled away from his body and disintegrated.

Suddenly, a fissure snaked across the field, fracturing the earth open with a deafening roar. My eyes searched for Vallen across the hole, and when I saw him, I ran to him as fast as I could, Baz close behind. Maros emerged from behind the trees, his hulking form silhouetted against the sky. His eyes burned with a sinister glow as he advanced toward us.

I whirled around, and my heart jolted at seeing those crimson orbs searching mine. Then he gestured for his demons to blend into the shadows concealing their true numbers. They watched and waited for his instructions.

“I figured I’d see what you’re made of, Noa,” he drawled, his breath uneven. “Consider me impressed.”

“I’m going to end you!” I promised him.

“I’ve already given you plenty of chances, and yet,” Maros gave a shoulder lift with raised brows. “Here I am.”

Baz snarled, his body coiling and fur bristling, but Maros chuckled and, with a quick flick of his wrist, seized my throat. He wrenched me up into the air, and I scratched at his hand, gasping for air, but his grip was unbreakable.

Black spots danced at the edges of my vision as he pulled me backward, away from Baz, away from Vallen, and away from my hope of salvation. As we reached the edge of the trees, his demons and charred ones gathered close.

Maros smirked, unfazed as he turned me around and dangled me in front of Baz. “Come on, doggy. Let’s play.”

“You’re a coward, Maros!” Vallen’s voice rumbled across the field. “Let her go.”

Baz lunged forward but halted as Maros tightened his grip on my throat.

“Don’t be stupid, pup,” Maros sneered. “No one else has to die today. If you’re a good doggy, I’ll let Noa live.”

“Baz, get back,” Vallen insisted.

Baz released a glass-shattering howl, but did as Vallen asked. I struggled against Maros’s hand, unable to breathe, and he pulled me close, bringing my mouth to his ear.

“What’s that?” he asked, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Your mom is looking forward to seeing you, and you can’t wait to join her?”

Vallen and the others stepped back, their eyes widening with shock. Maros’s grip on me loosened slightly, and a malicious grin spread across his face. Vallen narrowed his eyes at Maros. The other wolves were gathered and ready to fight again.

“Put her down, Maros,” Jossy shouted, his voice low and grave. “Or I swear, I’ll rip you apart myself.”

Maros’s laughter was sharp and mocking. “Oh, I don’t think so, little cherub. One more step and I’ll snapherpretty little neck.”

His fingers tightened in warning, and Ena began to pull at her own throat. I heaved my leg up and rammed my foot into Maros’s stomach. He grunted for a heartbeat, releasing Ena’s slender neck from his iron grip, then mine. She coughed into her hand, wiping away tears as I hit the ground, and I gulped down air.

“Bastard!” The word barely escaped me as I ran to Ena and Jossy.

“It’s possible,” Maros replied casually, an arrogant smirkunfurling across his thin lips. He laughed as I glared up at him. “Noa, you’re a child playing at villainy.”

“Let’s end this now,” Vallen snarled as he released his wings and rose into the air.

Baz stepped forward into a crouch, and the other wolves lined up with him.

“If you value Noa’s life, or any of yours for that matter, don’t!” Maros warned, his eyes flicking to the shadows behind him; then he snatched me up once more.

“Fight!” My voice trembled, betraying my attempt at bravery.

A cold sweat trickled down my back as I pleaded with my friends. Vallen’s eyes flickered with bursts of golden stars as they locked onto mine. His clenched fists trembled slightly, betraying his desire to do more than we both knew he could.

Pulling from the depths of my gut, I nodded and mouthed, “To the death.”

Jossy turned to Nakoma. “Get Nevaeh back to camp and stay there.”

Nakoma’s jaw tightened, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears that threatened to spill. “I won’t leave you, Joss,” he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his words.

Jossy took Nakoma’s face in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. “And I won’t lose you. Take care of your leg, and I’ll see you soon. Now go.”

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