Page 80 of Called By Fate

What I don’t understand is why they aren’t using their magic. The first time we met their magic, it was so strong it was almost choking, but I’m not getting that same feeling now. They look like they’re decaying, and I wonder if they even realize it.

“Why aren’t you using your magic, Reggie? I thought you were some all-powerful badass,” I say, deflecting another harsh blow.

The frown that mars his face as we break apart is so severe that for a second, I think his face might get stuck that way. “It seems the power given to us by the Goddess is fading, but it doesn't matter.” I shoot him a devilish smile at that knowledge, but he raises his dagger and attacks, the clinging of metal against metal rattles my teeth. “When we capture you and your mates, we’ll absorb yours and become the most powerful Triad Circle in existence. Then all our plans will come into fruition.”

He grins like a loon and a tingle shoots down my spine. One of Kaos’ shields pops up and protects my back from a faceless Elite. I reach down and grab the other knife out of my shit-kickers and watch Reginald and the Elite. Thank the Gods Kaos taught me how to dual-wield.In more ways than one,my mind whispers.I’d laugh at myself if all our lives weren’t at stake here.

Chaos is raining down all around us from every angle. Shifters and Weavers alike are pouring out of Matilda’s portal and running into the fight, facing the Elite that keep popping out from the trees. Bodies are starting to pile up and it makes me sick to my stomach not knowing whether they’re allies or enemies.

Niall must’ve woken up at some point and is now helping defend Ash. I catch a familiar face emerging from the tree line. Carter makes a beeline for Ash like he’s her lifeline. Distantly, I wonder where Alpha Darren is, but I don’t have time to dwell on it or the strange hollow pain in my chest, because I have to deflect an attack from both Reginald and the Elite.

I need to do something—anything to end this shit. My entire consciousness is screaming at me because this is it; our last chance, the final showdown. But whereas Reginald is slightly rusty, the Elite is not, and between the two of them, they’re keeping me on my toes.

Elian and Vald are still going at one another. I see a path to the souls when they shift and make a split-second decision to change my tactics and start going on the offensive instead of defense, leading Reginald and the Elite closer to the souls as I slash, punch, kick, and parry the whole way.

The Elite tries to shove his knife into my stomach, and I jump back just in time. Crap, that was close. I keep the orb of souls in my peripheral, but I don’t directly glance at it for fear of them catching onto my plan.

My arms burn from the exertion, but I can’t think about that. I also can’t think about everyone I see getting cut down around me. My mates are safe, I’d know if something happened to them, but there are so many Weavers and shifters around me that I can’t see anymore.

We’re about ten feet away from the orb when the Elite suddenly charges me. We’re too close to do anything, and I’m forced to hold on to him as he slams us into the ground. He’s too big for me to roll so I keep a firm grip on my knife, and when we come to a stop, I immediately slam it into his side. He grunts but doesn’t move from on top of me. I buck and struggle against his hold but he just doesn’t budge. He cracks me across the cheek, but I ignore the pain, sorting through my options.

My shadows rear up inside of me at the exact moment I catch a blur of black to the side. Vin’s wolf tackles the Elite off me and immediately rips off his head.

* * *

Vinson

As soon asI felt the panic in my chest and our mental connection cut off, I knew something was wrong. The forces were already rounded up, so it was just a matter of getting a portal open to Sadie and Elian. Except, we couldn't, no matter how hard we tried.

I don’t know what suddenly changed and allowed us through, and I don’t care. We all heard Sadie’s mental call for help and came running. I was expecting carnage, but this is next level. Shifters and Weavers are charging the Elites, using brute force and numbers to take them down.

My wolf paces in my head.Must get to mate,he growls.

I’m working on it,I respond.

My eyes find the giant gap separating where we landed and my heart stutters in my chest when I find Sadie all the way across the divide, facing off with an Elite. He tackles her to the ground, and I don’t have time to alert the others. I have to get to her. My instincts take over and with half a thought, I shift into my majestic black wolf. Sadie’s shadows flare out around me, snapping and blending into the night. An Elite looks at me and his eyes widen when I snarl at him. He takes off running. Smart man.

My paws pound against the grass, and I don’t question myself or my wolf as I get closer and closer to the gaping hole. I let my need to protect my mate fuel me as my wolf leaps. The distance is larger than I expected, and at first, I don’t think I’m going to make it, but a gust of wind hits me and carries me to the other side. I find a Night Weaver staring at me, panic in her eyes and her hands in the air. I give her a nod of thanks before returning my attention to Sadie.

With my wolf’s large gait, we’re on her in seconds, and I tackle the fucker off her. The nasty tang of his piss-poor blood hits my tongue as my wolf bites his head clean off.That’s what you get for taking on our mate, asshole,my wolf snarls.

Sadie’s wide eyes are on me, shining with love and pride that’s only for me before focusing on the fight once more. I’ll do anything to keep that beautiful face alive.

Anything.

* * *

Sadie

My shadows dothe rest and the Elite’s body disappears. Thank the Goddess, Vin got here in time. For a split second, I wonder how he made it across the divide, but I don’t have time to ponder it because Reginald is readying to attack me again. If I can’t disable whatever is protecting the Elders physically, we’ll never be able to defeat them. Which is also why I’m trying not to expend any more power than I already have.

Vin, distract Reginald for me!I mentally shout, and he rounds on him, snarling. Reginald’s eyes widen, but I turn my back on them and focus on the souls.

Unfortunately, the Elders’ lackeys have other plans. Those that are still loyal to the fucks are starting to pour onto the makeshift battlefield alongside our allies. There are so many more of them than there are of us. We’re completely outnumbered.

The Marsh Circle makes a beeline straight toward me with that bigheaded bully named Hunter, who was beating on Oliver at the compound, at the forefront of their little gang. For fuck’s sake. I don’t have time for this.

“What? You assholes didn’t get enough of a beating that day at the compound? You want more?” I ask, palming my shadestone as they approach. Unfortunately, my other knife is still buried in the Elite that Vin took down for me, but this one will do just fine. Actually, I prefer it, knowing the work that went into it.

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