Page 124 of King of Tides

A chill runs through me. They snatch the child from him, but a woman appears and flashes a beam of bright light.

I’m snapped back to the present and I can feel Intikam writhing in pain inside my head. He watched his brother die. He was given an ultimatum between those he loved and lost his brother.

Rage rises through me so fast and strong, I can’t stop it. I fight to catch my bearings. I’m hovering above the room with my sisters. I can feel their power as if it were my own. There is a pulsing of energy surrounding us like nothing I’ve felt before.

I throw my arms and head back and release a sound I don’t even recognize. Intikam joins in, lifting his head and stretching out his power within me.

“I understand, Intikam. I will get your vengeance. You can rest now. Thank you for your sacrifice. It will not go wasted. Be at peace, my friend.”

“Honor our past, young master. Don’t allow my brother’s death to be in vain. Do better than I did. Be worthy of the gift of the gods. Thank you, young friend. Thank you.”

I open my mouth and blue smoke flows from my lips. I can feel my skin humming. It’s like Intikam infuses into my soul.

I reel in my rage and emotions and focus. As I do, I absorb the wall of ice surrounding us after the other two barriers disappear. I land on my feet in a side lunge, my arm out to my side with my naginata in my hand.

The weapon is glowing blue and hums within my palm as blue smoke raises from it and me. My eyes harden the moment I see Ardan pinned to the wall.

My power pulsates in my veins. Ice-cold magic beats within me. I can feel I’m skating a thin line trying to harness this power, but I’m in control.

“Don’t let the vengeance control you. We have a purpose beyond that day,”Lee says in my head.“This was our destiny. The Council of the Phoenix and the fire sirens will rise again. Born of ash, risen through song.”

“Then let’s fucking sing,”I growl.

I snap my gaze to the asshole standing before me when I hear Beck’s whimper. Looking up through my lashes, I glare at Bardo as he holds Beck in one hand and Bourne in the other. Wrong fucking move. I’m going to drop him and get the guys free in one breath.

“They are strong, but this is our house. Bring them down,”Lee Ann says in my head.

“The fire bitch is mine,”Taylor snarls.

“I will get our mates free,”I seethe.

However, as I launch forward, everything around me changes. I freeze as a woman holding my father comes into view. Carson stands beside her with his wrists bound.

I know right away we are in an illusion. I look to Bardo as he glares back at me. The boys are now in a cage floating high above us.

This motherfucker should have kept them in his grasp to keep me off his ass. I don’t know who this bitch is, but she’s going down just the same.

“Who’s up first?” I snort and smile.

Bardo charges forward like he’s skating on ice. I’m ready for him. He pulls an ice sword out of thin air right as he gets up on me.

I dip back out of the way. The cold of the sword breezes by my chest and face. I come up and turn to face him.

He swings his sword at me again, trying to take advantage of his long reach. I block it with my naginata and shove him back, taking him by surprise as he stumbles back.

“So I shouldn’t underestimate you,” he says as if he’s amused.

“Do whatever you want. I’m going to fuck you up either way. You hurt my boys, I’m going to make you pay for that.”

His big ass laughs at me. “Your boys? I don’t remember my brother giving you that right.”

“So what? You murder your brother and think it’s your right?”

“You know nothing about me,” he bellows like a madman.

He charges at me again angrily. This time as he glides toward me, I release the button on the center of my weapon and pull the two blades apart. I move past him in a flash and slice his arm and side.

He roars as blood drips from his side. “You bitch.”

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