Page 64 of Enzo

The first loud growl went up, and her stomach tightened. How was it possible that their human neighbors, not that far away, didn't hear the noise? Or were they so used to it that they shut their windows and pretended it didn't exist? Deja had done that more than once when she heard the sirens or the yelling not too far away from where she lived.

A snarl came from Ven that had her turning to face him. His eyes were glowing, and his body was trying to swap forms.

"What's wrong?"

"They're here. I can smell and hear them. They must have sent out a small group to meet Declyn and Enzo. They're coming through the shield."

He stood up and let out a loud growl, calling the others to come back before his body cracked apart. The bones snapped as he switched forms, standing much taller. His fingers became lethal claws. He stood on his hind legs. His body was close to twelve feet tall.

In that minute, she knew the Kur'iks spawned the stories of werewolves, although none had gotten it right.

Ven sprang from the front steps and met the Thalians straight on. The Kur'iks turned the corner and rushed them.

All she could see was blood flying amidst growls. Who was winning? There was no way to be sure as the two sides clashed. She searched for Enzo in the midst of the clash, needing to know he was still standing. He was as magnificent in this form as he was in his human shape. Although if she ever met him in a dark alley, she would scream and run.

Turning her head, she stared into the eyes of two Thalians who were trying to sneak up on her. They lifted their heads andlet out snarls as they ran at her. Her body changed, her nails growing deadly and her teeth elongating. Deja slashed her nails over the belly of one when he came for her, moving enough for him to slam into the stairwell. The second one slammed into her body, trapping her even as she worked to get her arms free. Her deadly teeth began taking chunks out of his shoulder. She wouldn't allow anyone to hurt the people she was protecting.

Ven pulled the attacker off her, breaking his neck as the second tried to flee. Deja was on him, raking her nails down his back, stopping him until Ven could pull him away.

She stood on the steps watching blood drip down her hands even as the hot taste of it slipped down her throat. In desperation, she looked for the voices in her head to chime in. Instead, they stared through her eyes, looking for Enzo and Ven.

They were losing. Why? They had greater numbers, but something must be off. Before she could think about it any longer, she saw Enzo fall. A scream of fury and fear left her.

Our mate is dying, give me your body!

She should fight, but she turned the driver's seat over to her feral side; the monster that lived within her was now breaking its boundaries. Her body changed, not just her nails and teeth; her whole body elongated. What was she? Whatever she was, it wasn't human. She felt the wings on her back move as she propelled herself through the air. A war cry broke out as she pulled the bodies off Enzo. Her claws sank deep into them, shredding each before tossing them aside like they never mattered.

Everyone stopped to stare at her. Before they began to race off as Corso called for them to retreat. Her wings beat fast as she ascended into the air. No one would survive her wrath today. She moved in front of them and blocked their path, giving them no choice. They either came through her or fought the Kur'iks and their new Thalian brothers and sisters.

No one came her way. They turned around and fought to live another day. Declyn maneuvered Corso until it was just the two of them. Corso rammed him, trying to tear out his stomach, but Declyn was ready, tucking and rolling to minimize the damage. He stood up behind Corso, swiping his neck.

Corso turned, and they ran at each other, placing themselves in a spiral that had them biting and tearing until both had blood running down their chests. Declyn moved back, opening himself up for Corso to tear at his chest. A roar of anguish escaped him before he wrapped his mouth around Corso's neck and shook.

When he released him, he was dead at his feet.

Deja felt her wings moving once more as her body lifted and she went back to where her mate was lying on the ground. She came to a stop next to him and felt her body shrink until it was small enough to lie beside him. She never switched forms.

A small prayer left her mouth before her eyes closed. "When my mate dies, allow me to follow him joyfully."

"What the hell just happened?" Caden asked, looking at Enzo and Deja on the ground.

All eyes turned to look at Declyn.

"I don't know."

"What is she?" Avel asked, staring at her like everyone else.

"My mother." Ven stood in front of them defiantly.

"Stand down, Ven. No one is going to hurt them. We're just trying to figure out what happened here."

"While you're trying to figure this out, Enzo is dying."

"When did you rise, Tristan?"

"I've been up for a while now, Alpha. I was lying low, but you need me."

Tristan was the healer, and he was right; they needed him.

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