Page 27 of The Powers of Nyx

“You keep telling us the same thing over and over again. Don’t you ever get bored?” Archer quipped, before slamming a glowing blade into the stomach of the vampire. The creature hissed as Archer twisted the knife. “You aren’t worth much if you don’t speak. You really think your littlewould-be-kingactually cares if you die?”

Vamp’s eyes darkened, a snarl ripping through him. “You follow an unfit Queen, and yet you try to pit me against a true leader.”

“Your leader is hiding in the shadows, like a coward.” Archer shrugged, keeping his voice light, unserious. But he pulled the dagger free and inspected the blood dripping off the end. “Not poisoned, so you’re still the same idiot we grabbed. Good to know.”

Vamp bucked, but my hold remained firm. “He’s right, you know. You are worthnothingto your leader. If he cared, he would be here, fighting to get you back. You arenothingto him. But you are toher.”

Disbelief filled his reddened eyes, but he barked a loud, unhinged laugh. “I will never kneel to a Queen again. Long live the true king. And let your bitch die.”

The wolf in me snapped. I tore the vamp’s throat open with my claws, releasing him as he collapsed into a puddle of blood at my feet. He would live—barely—but he’d have a hard time speaking for a while.

“Get him into the SUV and start fucking driving. I want nothing else from these two useless pieces of shit until they’re locked in their cages.”

I ignored the murmured sound of agreement and stalked away from the limp body to wash my hands of his blood.

Maybe I was no better than a brute, a killer and torturer, but for my mate, I would be the sword she needed to protect her, the hangman delivering punishment. I would be the axe falling on the necks of her enemies, and I would do it all in a heartbeat. Because I am her protector.

And I will never let her be hurt again.

~

Despite the ache in my body, I remained eerily still as the walls of the cramped SUV closed in around me. I was better now at handling tight, immoveable spaces. I had to be.

Uncertainty writhed like a living creature in my stomach as I watched the blur of houses and cars speed by, leaving no impression on me other than impatience. We were three hours out from the final location, and I could barely keep the beast contained, knowing it would soon be reunited with our mate. With what the vampire said still lingering in my mind, the pressure in my chest seemed to worsen with the need to run.

From the front seat, Archer held his gun holstered at his side, eyes keenly watching the streets for any vehicle that gave off an unusual feeling. The screen on the dash, which directed us to the ferry drop off, beeped with a sensor enchanted to detect magic in the field. We’d managed to link it to residual magic used by our two prisoners, both of which were being moved to their own new prison, rather than the Phoenix Compound. And after that last moment with the vamp, I wasn’t feeling too guilty about sending them to their new cage.

Thea, in the passenger seat, also carried a weapon. It’d been her idea to do so, and I didn’t want to stop her from feeling like she could protect herself. I’d heard the story from Jay, of my girl and Thea holding them at gunpoint inside Ivy’s home. As much as I hated the idea of my angel needing to protect herself in that way, I was glad they knew how to at least shoot.

Maisie rested her head on my shoulder from where she sat between me and Ginny. Eloise sat on her sister’s other side, eyes glued to the window, her fear showing only through the small trembles wracking her body.

How are you feeling?I reached out, feeling for my mate through the bond.

Her grogginess filtered through, but so did her happiness.I’m fine. We’re on the road now. How is everyone on your end?

We’re sticking together,I replied, offering her a mental image of the situation.Everyone is sick of each other, I think.

Put the radio on and you’ll be sick of Ginny the most. She somehow knows every song ever and can sing along to all of them. Especially K-pop, and she doesn’t even know Korean.Her amusement warmed me, and I couldn’t help but look down at the tired little girl, with her dark hair pulled back in braids, who didn’t resemble the sister Ivy described at all.

But I wouldn’t let Ivy worry about that.We’ll be there in three hours, I said instead.

The wolf purred at the warmth reaching through the bond. It settled him greatly, and almost put the bastard to sleep.I can’t wait to see you. All of you.

I wanted to take her in my arms, to wrap myself around her body and never let go.

We have a lot to discuss when we get to Avalon, she added.Especially about what we’re doing next. About this whole academy thing.

She seemed wary of the idea, of what the academy might hold, but I wasn’t too interested in anything but her.Tell me in person, I said.I want to hear the words from your lips.

Her response was a huff of indignation.Fine. I’ll tell you in person.

After your lips have been wrapped around my cock.

She laughed through the bond, and replied,in your dreams, wolf.

I growled, and the wolf lifted his head in offence.You’re already the star, the moon, and the night sky, Angel. And that means in my dreams, too.

Ivy went quiet for a moment, her emotions barely an impression, like she was holding herself back. I tried not to think too hard on the fact that I might have overstepped, but she knew I loved her, and I needed her to know that had not—and will not—ever change.

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