“Really, it isn’t me you should be worrying about,” he said, dodging an attack and slitting yet another throat.
The burning pain of the tensely pulled spears lessened as they went lax, the metal chains falling free from the blades. Bodies thudded to the ground in the shadowy alcoves from where he had been struck.
Elian grinned in delight, pointing with a dagger. “It’s him.”
With a thunderous growl, Ronan climbed to his feet. The spears were still embedded in him, but that didn’t matter. Now, he could move again.
Now, he would destroy anyone and anything that got in the way of him andhis mate.
Chapter 27 - Selena
Agony rocked through her, every single muscle in her body contracting and ripping andshredding.
“That’s it, you’re nearly there,” said Castien, maneuvering her onto her back, his scent awash with calming, omega pheromones.
It wasn’t working. Her mates were trapped, bellowing in pain, unable to reach her. She needed them, needed them so desperately that she thought she woulddie.
“Why?” she sobbed, her vision clouded, her ears ringing, “why do this?”
“Humans killed my family,” he said, “and Theldir…Theldir promises power beyond our wildest dreams. I’m sosickof being weaker than everyone, of every alpha looking down at me, underestimating me. Once Theldir is free, it will all be different.”
“What if he’s lying to you?” she wailed, gritting her teeth as agony rocked through her. “He lied to me, why would he tell you the truth?”
“Theldir would never lie to us,” said Castien, his voice resolute. “We are his followers. He shows us the way. And he will reward us for our loyalty.”
“You’re an idiot,” she cried. “He’ll kill us all.”
A sudden commotion had Castien glancing up, his face contorting in worry.
“What! What is it, what’s happening?” she asked, trying to twist and see.
“Nothing,” said Castien through clenched teeth, “just focus on giving birth. You’re nearly there, I can see the baby’s head!”
She kicked out but missed him, the movement sending pain rocketing through her. She threw her head back against the stone andscreamed, everything in her body heaving in one greatpush—
A sharp, clear, ringing wail echoed from the stone.
“You did it,” Castien breathed, holding a small, bloody body in his hands with gentle reverence. “It’s a girl!”
“Give me my baby,” Selena shrieked, clambering onto all fours, unable to move further, “give her to me!”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” said Castien, wrapping the squalling child in red cloth. “She belongs the Theldir now.”
“NO!” Selena screamed, reaching towards him. Her hand glowed silver, magic thrashing around her, whipping out in fury.
She was dimly aware of her mates, battling iron and steel, desperate to get to her. Kaelen twisting in the net, Elian and Ronan facing the Order members. She couldn’t focus on them, couldn’t even think about them, all she knew was that Castien had her baby.
Her babygirl.
Tears fell down her cheeks, her heart wrenching, panic clawing her throat.
Her limbs wouldn’t move, her magic wouldn’t obey her, she was utterlyhelplessto do anything but watch as Castien turned towards the opening door, and the raging pit beyond.
A shadow fell over her. And almighty, thunderous growl spewing forth. Castien froze, and turned.
Malek, standing over her, shadows and blood dripping from his teeth.
“You will give me the child.”