Page 102 of Wicked Fate

Something had to give, or I’d die.

Ember,Briar linked.No!

A blur slammed into Ambrosia from the side, and her grip on my throat vanished as she was knocked sideways. Her body crashed into the concrete wall with enough force to crack the surface.

Ryker stood between us, a savage snarl twisting his features. Blood matted his hair and streaked his face, but his eyes burned with primal fury. He crouched low, and daggers gleamed in both hands.

“Touch her again, and I’ll rip you limb from limb.”

I dragged in desperate gulps of air. My hand touched my bruised throat, and I felt the trickle of blood running down my chest. The witch's magic still pressed on me like a physical weight, making each movement feel like pushing through mud.

Ambrosia laughed, the sound musical. She straightened and smoothed her lace dress as if we were at a garden party rather than a battlefield.

"I've killed alphas centuries older than you, pup." Ambrosia beamed. "Your little daggers won't even slow me down."

Ryker lunged forward and slashed at her throat. She evaded with barely a shift of her head, her expression bored. His second blade carved through empty air where her heart should have been.

"Too slow," she taunted from behind him.

Ryker spun, but her fist connected with his jaw. The crack echoed through the chamber as he staggered back. Blood trickled from his mouth, but he regained his footing.

I struggled to my knees, still fighting the witch's magical pressure. I couldn't stay down. Not now.

The room spun as I forced myself upright, my vision clearing enough to take in the death and fighting around me. Bodies littered the floor—at least half our people lay motionless, blood pooling beneath them. The survivors fought with desperate ferocity, but the vampires were getting an edge.

My gaze went to the far corner where Briar huddled, her face pale with shock. Blood soaked one of her sleeves. She pressed her hand against the wound, crimson seeping between her fingers.

Ambrosia's laughter rang out as she dodged another of Ryker's attacks. "Your sister will join you soon enough in death."

Something inside me snapped. The witch's magic still pressed against me, but my focus on Briar broke something loose inside me. If I didn’t dosomething, she’d die. And I also had to save Ryker.

My power surged, rage and desperation fueling it beyond the magical restraints. My fingers found the dagger at my hip, and I charged at the vampire targeting my sister.

My dagger sliced through the air. He was fast, but desperation made me faster. The blade sank deep into his neck, hitting the spot where spine met skull. His body went rigid, mouth frozen in a silent scream as I twisted the blade and yanked it out.

Blood spurted from him as he crumpled to the floor.

Ryker’s fear spiked, and I spun, dagger still dripping with blood, only to freeze at the sight before me.

Standing with an arm wrapped around Ryker's throat, Ambrosia’s other hand tangled in his hair, she wrenched his head to expose his neck.

"No!" I screamed, abandoning my position near Briar.

I sprinted toward them, moving purely on instinct. The dagger in my hand felt like an extension of my arm as I hurled it with all my strength. The blade spun and sliced across Ambrosia's forearm. Her grip on Ryker faltered just enough for him to wrench free.

Ember, stay back,he yelled.

Like hell I would, but even if I wanted to, it was too late.

Her head snapped toward me, and she bared her teeth. "That’s fine. I’ll let him watch you die first." She moved with blinding speed, crossing the distance between us before I could blink. Her hand clamped around my throat, lifting me off my feet. She then slammed me against the wall in front of the staircase.

The impact forced the air from my lungs.

“Here, no one can intervene as easily.” She smirked. “I’m going to take my time killing you and then make sure your mate suffers pain ten times worse when it’s his turn.”

I clawed at her hand, desperate for air. My vision wavered, darkening at the edges as Ambrosia's lips curled into a victorious smile.

Still, I’d take it if it meant Ryker would survive.Run now!

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