Page 5 of Magic Unmasked

Savannah didn’t show any fear as she said, “She started it. She was planning to pull down the walls between the realms and release the demons. I didn’t have any choice.”

Julien’s chuckle echoed through the hollow warehouse, cold and cruel. “Choices have consequences, my dear. And now, you’ll answer for them.”

They watched as Julien Crowe moved with the predatory grace of a seasoned killer, his body a blur as he darted around Savannah’s defensive moves. The water magic she hurled at him sliced through the night, sharp as blades, but the vampire twisted through the air like smoke, avoiding each strike with terrifying ease. He grinned, a dark and hungry smile, as he closed the distance between them.

Savannah threw up a wall of water in desperation, the moisture rippling in the air, but Julien’s speed was relentless. He crashed through the barrier in a blink, scattering droplets around them like shattered glass. Before Savannah could react, he was behind her—his cold, iron grip locking around her wrist, twisting her arm behind her back with brutal force.

A cry of pain escaped Savannah’s lips as Julien jerked her arm higher, making her cry out and forcing her to drop her guard. Her magic seemed to fizzle. He spun her around and slammed her back against the wall.

“You're good, little fae," Julien murmured, his voice low and mocking, his pale face inches from hers. "But not good enough."

His hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of her spiky blue hair and wrenching her head back, exposing the vulnerable curve of her throat. Savannah struggled, kicking out wildly, but Julien was too strong—too fast. His crimson eyes glinted with satisfaction, the promise of death lingering on his lips as he leaned closer.

“This is what you get for killing our queen,” he hissed, his fangs scraping lightly against her neck. “Vesper should’ve killed you when she had the chance. But don’t worry—I’ll finish what she started.”

Savannah’s magic flared again, born of rage. Droplets of water gathered from the humid air, condensing into sharp needles that rained down on Julien’s back, embedding in his flesh with a wet, sickening sound. He hissed in pain, but instead of retreating, he drove his knee into her stomach with brutal force.

The air rushed from Savannah’s lungs in a choked gasp. For a moment it seemed that the strength had fled from her limbs as they seemed heavy and sluggish. Julien took advantage of the moment, twisting her arm behind her again and slamming her face-first into brick.

“Pathetic,” he whispered, tightening his grip on her. “All that power, and you still fall like a human.”

From somewhere deep inside Savannah, a spark seemed to ignite even as her body struggled against Julien’s strength. Her magic seemed to respond to that spark, flickering back to life. The air thickened with moisture, the scent of saltwater and storms filling the night.

Julien’s fangs grazed her neck, and for a terrifying moment, Ronan feared he had waited too long. Feeling a growl rise in his throat, his protective instincts roared to life. He didn’t give a damn about Savannah or her demon lover or even that stopping Vesper had been necessary. All that mattered was the protector inside him, ready to defend against the threat looming over them. His gaze shifted back to Lilith. She stood tense, her hand hovering near the hilt of her blade.

“We need to move now,” Lilith hissed, her voice urgent.

Ronan’s beast surged within him, clawing at the surface, demanding to be unleashed. Every fiber of his being screamed to protect, to tear Julien Crowe apart and leave nothing but carnage in his wake. His control slipped, the line between man and beast blurring as his body trembled with the impending shift.

“I won’t let her die,” Ronan growled, his voice thick with the edge of his transformation. “Not here. Not like this.”

Lilith shot him a sharp look, but there was no time to argue. Ronan's form erupted, his shift tearing through him in a storm of raw power. The transformation was a violent maelstrom of thunder, lightning, and color. It crackled as it swirled around him filled with magic as flesh and bone gave way to muscle and fur, reshaping him in a flash of primal energy and magic.

In moments, the man was gone, replaced by a massive sabretooth tiger, his golden eyes glowing with the feral light of his beast. The transformation left the air charged with electricity, and for a brief moment, everything was still.

Then chaos erupted.

Ronan charged into the warehouse, a blur of muscle, fur, and unbridled fury. His claws tore into the ground, sending splinters of wood flying as he launched himself at Julien’s lackeys. The vampires barely had time to react before Ronan was upon them, his massive frame taking one of them to the ground with a sickening thud. His jaws clamped down on the nearest vampire’s throat, ripping it apart with savage efficiency as Lilith followed behind him, removing the head altogether.

Julien’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, his fanged smile stretching across his face. “So, the shifter joins the fray. How quaint.”

Savannah’s terrified gaze darted between Ronan’s sabretooth form and Julien. She looked small and fragile compared to the looming threat of the vampire crime lord, her usually vibrant magic seeming to withdraw like a wave pulling back from the shore.

Lilith followed Ronan’s charge, her sword flashing through the dim light as she sliced through the nearest vampire lackey with ease. But as the fight raged around them, Ronan’s attention remained locked on Julien.

The vampire’s smile was taunting, filled with dark promises. “You think you can protect her?” Julien hissed, his voice low and venomous. “I’ll tear her apart in front of you.”

Ronan let out a furious roar, his massive form barreling toward Julien, but just as he was about to strike, more vampires swarmed him. Their speed and strength were no match for his primal power, but they were relentless, clawing at his fur, sinking their fangs into him wherever they could find purchase.

He roared again, a sound that shook the very walls of the warehouse, but the numbers were overwhelming. One by one, they piled onto him, trying to bring him down.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Lilith standing at the crossroads of a terrible decision. Her eyes flicked between him and Savannah, who was cornered, her back pressed against the wall, Julien closing in on her. The choice was clear—capture the fae as ordered, or save Ronan from being overwhelmed by the bloodthirsty swarm.

Ronan snarled, blood dripping from his maw as he struggled to stay on his feet. The pain of fangs sinking into him was real, but not as sharp as the panic that flared in his chest. Would she leave him?

Lilith hesitated. It was only for a second, but it was enough for him to see the crack in her hardened exterior. Her normally cold, calculating eyes flickered with indecision and with something else. A part of her cared—more than she wanted to admit. She watched as Savannah took advantage of her moment of indecision, unfurled her wings and managed to lift off, escaping into the sky.

“Lilith!” he growled, initiating the mating bond—it wasn’t as strong as it would be once he claimed her, but it was strong enough to reach her, his voice rough even in his animal form.

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