Page 87 of Reign of the Beast

Fortunately, I’d never been one to toe the line.

I was all about out-of-the-box thinking and the strength and influence of the individual.

As Draco took another step forward, I called my power forth, mylightning.

“Never,” I seethed.

His facial features contorted with rage. “Insolent fool. You’ve condemned them all.” He moved closer. “You will suffer immeasurably for your defiance. I willbreakyou.”

I stood my ground. “Then fucking well break me, demon.”

My insolence and my blatant disrespect did what I’d hoped, enraging him.

I knew well from my interactions with Cornelius that Immortals hatedlesser beingschallenging them. They just couldn’t swallow down the shot to their egos.

Draco reacted emotionally,wildly, thrusting his palm out, black fire shooting my way.

Lucian’s warning about him being able to move faster than an Ancient became null and void, as the demon gave away his intent in the midst of his rage, affording me time enough to prepare.

As his magic hit, mine was already firing back at him.

For the first time, I was able to truly see the effect that my next-level power had on somebody else’s streaming magic in battle.

Gasps of surprise and awe from the Guardians behind me echoed my own as I watched my green lightning cut into and basically disintegrate Draco’s magic at the point where it made contact with mine.

He roared, utterly incensed.

As he kept streaming, my magic continued to destroy.

I watched him shift his grip with his free hand on his sword. “There’s a disadvantage to having this unique access to two forms of magic,” he rumbled.

I tensed at his ominous tone and the knowing glint in his eyes.

“You require time to switch between your defensive lightning and your offensive power.”

In the next moment, he tossed his sword like a spear.

His ridiculous speed finally bit me in the ass.

The brutal weapon cut through the air so fucking quickly that it was barely even a discernible blur before it was right upon me.

It drove into my right shoulder, tearing through my flesh all the way out to the other side, running me through.

I choked, my magic snuffing out at the intense agony that beset me.

I collapsed hard onto my knees.

“That wouldn’t be so much of an issue if my speed didn’t completely eclipse yours,” he went on.

“Missed the heart, asshole,” I rasped.

“Don’t worry, sorcerer, your death is imminent. For your insolence, however, some additional suffering is required first.”

I reached up with my left hand and closed my hand around the sword, supporting it. The bitching weight of it was worsening the wound, driving deeper into my flesh, and causing even more damage.

I managed to stabilize it.

But it would all be for nothing soon.

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