Page 21 of The Storm Within

The feeling of helplessness only exacerbated Ryker’s panic. They were stuck in limbo, unable to reach out for help. Although he’d known a few demons in his lifetime, Ryker had no idea what to do for one in this type of situation.

If his mate had been a shifter, he could have shifted into his animal form to heal. If he’d been a vampire, Ryker would have fed him some blood. What did demons require to heal? Souls of the damned?

A strange buzzing started in the air, a subtle vibration that made the hair on the back of Ryker’s neck stand up. His bear, which had been inwardly pacing because of Nate’s condition, began to snarl.

Ryker frowned, his senses sharpening. He wasn’t sure what it was, but there was something—He glanced at his mate. “You’re the one making the room buzz?”

“I think so.” Nate held up his fingers. “There’s a tingling sensation spreading through my entire body. It feels like…I don’t know. A surge I haven’t felt in forever.” His eyes widened. “My powers…they’re being fully restored! I think our bonding—” He shook his head, his face pinched once more. “I don’t know, maybe our bonding retrieved them from Diobno and gave them back to me?”

“You’re telling me the snowstorm that brought me here was only you at half-power?” Ryker’s brows shot up. “What can you do at full power, create an ice age?”

Nate panted heavily, his limbs shaking. Ryker was about to tell his mate to lie down and rest when the air around them began to change. The room grew darker, shadows pooling unnaturally along the walls. Ryker glanced around, his gut telling him Nate wasn’t causing whatever this was.

“God, no,” Nate whispered, his fingers lingering at his temples, his eyes wide with fright.

Unable to rip his gaze away, Ryker watched as the shadows merged, and then a tall, dark figure solidified before them. Diobno. The demon’s black hair blended seamlessly with the surrounding shadows, his dark blue eyes glinting with malice.

Ryker was on his feet, his instinct moving faster than his thoughts. The chill of the floor beneath his feet was nothing compared to the fury coursing through him. Instinctively, he moved until he blocked his mate from view.

Diobno’s gaze hardened as it landed on Ryker, taking in the sight of him defiantly shielding Nate. “You are one determined furball.”

A growl rumbled in Ryker’s chest. Only his family was allowed to insult him. Diobno’s eyes flicked to Nate, turning glacial.

“Eyes on me.” Ryker rolled his shoulders, hearing his vertebra crack. “Nate is no longer your concern.” He took a menacing step forward, using his size to intimidate the demon.

Fury lashed through Diobno like a thunderstorm as his gaze slid over Ryker, a disgusted sneer curling his lip. When he spoke, his words were deliberate. “Nate will always be of my concern. Isn’t that right, dear nephew?”

“You talk to me, not him.” Ryker’s tone carried a razor-sharp edge. He already hated the guy for what he’d done to Nate, and wanted the chance to beat the brakes off the demon.

The air felt heavier, the power radiating from Diobno almost suffocating. With a wave of his hand, a ripple of energy swept through the room. In an instant, clothes materialized on both Nate and Ryker—simple, dark fabric that seemed like a mockery of their situation.

“Shifters should learn a little modesty.” Diobno scoffed, appearing offended he’d had to witness Ryker in the buff. Ryker wasn’t exactly thrilled about it either.

“I’m not taking advice from a guy who throws century-long temper tantrums.”

A slow, sinister smile curved the demon’s lips as his gaze slid toward Nate, clearly ignoring Ryker’s insult. “I see you’ve been quite the chatterbox. Too bad you still haven’t learned to shut your mouth.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “Maybe I’ll permanently close it for you.”

Anger whipped through Ryker, but Nate’s words drew his focus.

“Sealing my bond with my mate restored what you stole from me.” His voice was fierce, his power sparking at his fingertips as he faced his uncle.

Ryker’s little honey bear had grown figurative claws. Nice.

Diobno’s eyebrow arched, his tone dripping with derision. “Oh, really?” He gestured with his hand. “Then show me, Nathan. Show me how powerful you’ve become.”

Oh yeah. Ryker was going to take great pleasure in killing the smug jackass. “You don’t have to prove anything to this manbaby. Even my three-year-old nephew acts more mature than him.”

“What’re you doing?” Nate whispered for some reason considering Diobno stood a few feet away. “Are you trying to get us killed?”

“You have your full powers, baby. Use them,” Ryker replied, wondering why Diobno was letting them have a conversation. In fact, the demon just stood there, his head tilted, studying Ryker. His close scrutiny was downright unnerving.

Nate took a deep breath and extended his hands. The air rapidly chilled, making the room even colder. Moisture condensed close to the ceiling, forming dozens of glistening icicles. The deadly spikes spiraled in place before shooting toward their target.

Diobno barely spared the icicles a glance, almost yawning as he flicked his fingers at the frozen missiles. They instantly dissolved into water droplets that fell like a gentle rain toward the floor.

“Is that your best?” the demon scoffed, the shadows snaking around the man’s body. Dark tendrils extended outward then shot toward Nate.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Ryker’s instincts blazed into action. He lunged forward, intercepting the shadows, his muscular body colliding with Diobno’s in a powerful crash, causing the shadows to scatter. The two hit the floor, Diobno’s form shifting like smoke, slipping away as mirthless laughter echoed, grating on Ryker’s last nerve. The demon reappeared near the door to the room, his dark blue eyes as frigid as the air around them.

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