Page 97 of Unleashed

And his mind showed her where that lift led.

“You will not best me, insect,” Kelsharn growled.

Nina’s eyes focused as her awareness reverted to her body. He was mere feet away from her, slowly closing that scant distance; a giant, a terrifying creature borne of nightmares, a thing shaped of darkness and evil. But she would not let him win.

She could not hold him back. She didn’t have the strength to do so, and even giving it everything she had, he was advancing too quickly. But he’d already displayed his weakness again and again — his own arrogance.

“No,” she rasped, her mind in agony, her body quaking. Blood ran from her nose and ears, and she tasted it in her mouth.

Nina withdrew her protection from the other valos and turned her entire focus on her mates, visualizing shimmering barriers around them, severing Kelsharn’s dark influence. She felt Aduun’s muscles ripple as his struggle ceased, and then he was pushing to his feet.

Nina looked up at the surreal being towering over her. “Iwill not.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Aduun felt the crushing pressure fade, and a familiar, comforting warmth chased away the chill that had worked its way into his bones. He knew it was Nina’s doing, knew that, even if he couldn’t see any of it, she’d been involved in a mental battle with Kelsharn.

And she’d held. For so long, she’d held.

He lifted his head as he stood. Nina was still upright, but there was blood running from her ears and nose. She couldn’t hold much longer. And Kelsharn was directly in front of her, too close, and Aduun—

Kelsharn thrust a hand forward. The long metal spikes on the ends of his gloved fingers plunged into her abdomen. “Thendie, human.”

Blood welled around the punctures and ran over her clothes. She made a small, pained sound, lips quivering, but she did not lower her gaze. When Kelsharn tugged his fingers free, Nina grunted and swayed, but still did not fall.

Nina!

The blood coating Kelsharn’s fingers dripped down his hand to splatter on the ground at Nina’s feet.

The fire that had burned in Aduun’s gut ever since he was remade, the fire that Nina had finally managed to contain, exploded to life. It blazed up through his chest and erupted in a roar of fury, pain, vengeance, possessiveness, and love, and it was bolstered by similar roars from Balir and Vortok.

Aduun leapt forward, crashing into Kelsharn. His body changed in midair; the alteration occurred faster than it ever had, producing an immense amount of heat that only fueled his rage.

Kelsharn released a startled cry as Aduun’s momentum knocked him aside. Balir was there an instant later, having also reverted to his man form. Despite his withered body, Kelsharn somehow kept himself upright, radiating displeasure.

Aduun raked his claws over Kelsharn’s chest with a snarl. Thick, black blood oozed from the gashes.

“Insolent curs!” Kelsharn swung an arm at Aduun, who ducked beneath the blow. “Kneel before me!” he growled.

Power vibrated the air around Aduun, but there was an unseen buffer between him and Kelsharn’s magic. He grasped the Creator’s extended wrist, sinking his claws into the grayed skin, and pulled Kelsharn forward.

The Creator stumbled, thrown off balance. Balir seized the moment to attack. He leapt into the air, lifting his legs high, and slammed both feet into Kelsharn’s chest. His hooked claws bit into the Creator’s skin. The force of the blow knocked Kelsharn backward, and Aduun swung with all his might, sweeping Kelsharn in a wide arc.

Vortok, also in his man-shape, waited at the end of the arc. Though Kelsharn was taller, Vortok was far broader. He caught the Creator, wrapping his arms around Kelsharn’s chest, and squeezed. Vortok’s massive muscles bulged as he heaved, leaning far enough back to lift Kelsharn off his feet.

Something cracked in Kelsharn’s body, and he screamed his pain and fury. He slammed his elbow back into Vortok’s skull. The big valo reeled but didn’t relent.

—now! Attack Kelsharn, claim your freedom, destroy your Creator!—

Nina’s shout rang loud and true in Aduun’s mind. He hesitated, halting his charge toward Kelsharn, and turned to look at Nina.

She was on her knees, one hand pressed over her stomach with blood flowing over her pale skin. Her head was bowed, her eyes closed, shoulders rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths. He lifted his gaze to look behind her, and his blood turned to ice.

The beast valos who had been suppressed by Kelsharn’s power surged forward in a swarm, jaws snapping. Aduun rushed forward, but Balir reached Nina first, sweeping her into his arms.

“Get her to safety!” Aduun shouted.

Balir dashed off with Nina, leaving a trail of her blood on the ground. Aduun faced his people and prepared to defend his family.

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