Page 77 of Ember's Claim

“You can’t hurt them,” Rogue says in her no-nonsense tone. “They’re working to save your mate. If you kill them, you kill any chance of saving the druid.”

My wolf bounds around Rogue, hobbling on three legs. Every inch of her body aches, but it’s nothing compared to the emotional torment.

She continues to try to shut me out. It’s her attempt to protect me from the pain, but I fight with every ounce of energy I have left. Her head tilts, and we both stare in shock as the manwith black hair pulls the spear from Lorcan’s chest, only to drive a dagger straight through his heart.

My wolf snarls, but the man’s face flies up. Something inside me says that’s Calyx. There’s something wholly unnatural about his gaze, and if she wasn’t so furious, she might whine or even run away.

“Don’t,” he says simply as his hands begin to glow with wispy white magic.

My wolf lowers to her belly, like if she shimmies along on it, he might not see her. She inches closer until her nose bumps Lorcan’s hand. A long dagger protrudes through the middle, staking him to the ground.

I start to cry, and the tears leak from her eyes as she laps at his skin.

The blond man with glasses also raises his hands over Lorcan’s chest, but he looks at my wolf. “We’re doing everything we can. Don’t cry.”

My wolf squeezes her eyes closed and continues rubbing her muzzle against Lorcan’s palm, like she can will him to live. She feels Rogue take a seat next to her, but she’s too heartbroken to do anything as Anders and Veryn continue to fight against the remaining wolves.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Veryn

Spinning around, I kick away the wolf attempting to attack my side. I bring the beta wolf dangling in my left hand with me as he struggles, scratching my sides with his claws. That lasts until my right hand punctures his chest. His heart beats against my palm, and I shiver in disgust as I rip it free of the newly formed cavern in his skin and turn back to the wolf that’s just finding his footing after my last blow. A slow smirk crosses my face, and I toss his friend’s heart at his feet.

Bane taught me the importance of mentally setting your opponents on edge. Fuck, I wish my dad was here. I’d be able to trust him to handle these fuckers, so I could be with Ember.

“Are you planning to make a move, or what?” I snarl, my eyes lighting with my dragon.

My fury at not being with my mate is dangerous. If I don’t hold complete focus, my dragon could force a shift. He’s massive, and it takes forever to convince him to let me have control back.

The wolf lopes toward me, jumping high. Instead of meeting him at that level, I hit my knees, allowing him to simply fly over my head. My claws puncture his rib cage with a gristly crunch, but I have to feel around a bit to find his heart. My otherhand connects with his side, and I pull him down, using the momentum to rip the organ free.

I drop him, glancing around.

Anders has only one foe left, and he clearly has that handled. I exhale heavily, bending down and wiping my hands on the fur of a relatively clean wolf before taking off toward Ember.

My stomach rolls as I get close enough to see her injuries. There’s no way her leg isn’t broken. Her wolf lies on her belly with one leg out at a gnarly angle; it might actually be that her hip is out of socket.

“Jesus Christ,” I whisper.

Rogue nods, grimacing. She scoots out of the way, so I can slide up to Ember’s side.

Ember doesn’t snap or snarl, and her heartbreak echoes in the bond so tangibly, my eyes ache.

“Is he…” I glance between Cohen and the man who must be Calyx.

“Well, he’s not currently alive,” Calyx says, shaking out his glowing hands. “But he’s not past the point of no return. I believe Mother Nature will accept his sacrifice. I haven’t given up hope, and you shouldn’t, either.”

Cohen nods, shoving up his glasses as he falls to sit on his ass. “It will take several hours for him to rise if it’s anything like a normal full moon.”

I’m so focused on him that it takes a few seconds to notice the change. My hand rests on the skin of Ember’s bare back instead of her fur.

She hisses, keeping her leg out at that unnatural angle as she attempts to push herself up onto her good knee. “I can’t feel this every full moon,” she whispers, shaking her head.

“It won’t be anything as traumatic as this.” Calyx’s nose wrinkles. “Normally, his spirit doesn’t separate from his body.Cohen and I tethered it to you.” He nods at Ember. “You should be feeling some relief from the agony of the broken matebond?”

Ember’s bare tits bounce as she brings a hand up to rub at her bloody chest. “I think that’s why my wolf allowed me to take back over.”

“Excellent.” Calyx claps. “Now, if we could find you some clothing, the Seelie princess and I can begin to work on your wounds.” He chuckles. “I may even be able to make it home before sunrise.”

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