Page 71 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

But if she called others to fight, maybe she could calm the storm in her soul.

She'd left her dagger at the Arius manor, and the sword seemed overkill. Bracing herself, she brought her wrist to her mouth, preparing to sink her teeth into it and draw blood. Her lips had just touched her skin when ashes swirled before her.

"Do not even think about summoning the Hunters and letting them loose here," Auryon said in a clipped tone, two arrows already flying through the air.

Moments later, howling sounded. Roan and Nylah burst from the surrounding foliage. Tessa didn’t know how they always knew when she needed them or how they always managed to bewhereshe needed them, but she was grateful as they took over the fight.

But that gratitude soon devolved into familiar feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. She was supposed to be this all powerful being, the strongest in Devram, and she still had to be fucking rescued.

A scream of frustration ripped from her throat, and her power followed suit, screaming from the sky. Lightning struck, but there was no rhyme or reason to it. Some of them struck true, killing a vampyre. Some hit the ground, the snow meltingand smothering any flames that tried to ignite. One struck dangerously close to Roan, and Tessa cried out in worry as the wolf lurched to the side to avoid the hit.

Then she cried out in terror as a vampyre attacked him, his fangs sinking into Roan's throat. The wolf let out a snarling whine, twisting and trying to shake the vampyre free, and Tessa was running,screaming.

Her feet slipped in the snow more than once, but she was too terrified to try to use her power. With her lack of control and training, she could very well hit Roan instead of the Night Child.

She was, however, pulling that golden sword from a swirl of light. As she got closer though, she couldn't get a clear shot as the wolf and vampyre continued to roll, red staining the once pristine white snow.

"Auryon!" she screamed, unsure where she had gone or where Nylah was.

Useless.

That was how she felt as Roan let out another pained whine. The vampyre was strong and so incredibly fast. Anytime it looked like Roan was about to get the upper hand, the Night Child found another tender spot to sink his teeth into.

Until black flames wound their way around the vampyre. The fire moved like twisting snakes, singeing and burning as it wrapped tighter and tighter around the being. The screams were all his now as the black fire dragged him away from Roan.

Tessa didn't bother looking around for Luka as she stumbled to the wolf, dropping down beside him. His light coat was wet and matted with dark red, and she didn't know where to touch or what to do. She couldn't tell where the wounds were or how to even begin to stop the bleeding.

"Auryon!" she screamed again. "Auryon, help!"

This time there was a swirl of ashes before the female was crouching beside her.

"Shit," Auryon muttered, then she let loose a shrill whistle. It was answered by a howl, and moments later, Nylah was prowling forward.

"It was just a vampyre," Tessa said, her breaths coming too fast. "It was just— They can't kill him, right? They can’t— It was just a vampyre."

Nylah nudged Roan with her nose, and the whine that came from him had a sob crawling up Tessa's throat. These wolves were hers. They were hers without question. Their loyalty to her had been freely given. She hadn't had to earn it or prove herself to them. They were a connection to a past she hadn't known she had, and she had done this to him. All he had ever done was protect her from harm, had been a steadfast companion, and she had done this because she couldn't control her godsdamn magic.

Her hands thrust into his fur, sticky blood covered her fingers. She looked up at Auryon. "A vampyre can't kill him, right?" she repeated. "He's not a normal wolf. He's not— Is he going to die?"

"The Night Children are predators by nature," Auryon said, her smoky magic drifting over Roan as if cataloging all his injuries. "While their magic was taken from them, they retained their enhanced senses and were given the means to survive."

Tessa shook her head, feeling the tears track down her face. "That didn't answer my questions," she cried. "Is he going to die?"

"It is possible," Auryon said. "And likely if something is not done in the next few minutes, but I do not know who can help him here."

She couldn't get a breath down. Any air she sucked in seemed to get caught in her throat, never making it to her lungs. Roan's breaths were shallow too, his ribs scarcely rising on an inhale.

"But he's not a— He can’t— He's not a real wolf," she insisted as Nylah dropped to her belly. Her head rested between her frontpaws, glowing eyes fixed on Roan, and a soft whine sounded from her.

Tessa didn't notice the male that stooped beside her until large hands were taking her shoulders. She jolted, her magic lashing out, but he didn't release her.

“I know where we can take him, Tessa," Luka said grimly. “I can't make any promises he'll survive, but?—”

"Yes," she said immediately. "Take us there. Now."

“But you should know?—”

"This is me asking you to catch me, Luka!” she sobbed. "Please, Luka. Please!"

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