Page 14 of Stegian: Project Exorcism 4

Christian's gaze met hers. A wealth of emotion reflected back at her as she soothed his sweaty brow, chasing away the mind-control power of the demon and replacing it with calming, healing energy of her own. Christian's breathing was harsh as he pushed out, “How?”

“You must trust me, Christian," she said, still keeping her power high and around him, fearful the demon wouldn't let up on its mystical attack.

Stegian let out a sick-sounding laugh. “Trust you? Interesting. Is your champion aware of how you come to me in the night? How you tempt me with your body? With the promise of paradise?”

Christian gasped as he pushed to his feet, taking her with him. He stared down at her, disgust evident. Yet, for as sickened as he was by the idea Stegian's words might be true, he didn't release her.

Stegian tipped his head back and laughed. “I thought not.”

“Master,” one of the minions said, skulking forward. “May we play with them before we kill them?”

Stegian’s gaze flickered to black and then back to gray. For a moment, he appeared confused, as if he were trying and failing to regain control of his demon.

There was a whistle and then, without warning, the cavalry arrived, led by Bradi, Sevan and Jordan, Sevan’s brother. Men from the side of good thrust through the enemy behind Christian and Jacquelyn. They cut them down as if they were nothing, fighting like the honed warriors they were. Good now stood on equal footing with evil.

Jacquelyn's brother rushed forward. He put his hand on Christian’s shoulder. “Is it still you, old friend?”

Christian nodded weakly.

Bradi, always a fierce warrior and immune to Stegian’s mind control, stepped forward. “So, this is how you want to play this out? Think long and hard before you say yes, because I’m not the one who has to worry about my purdy lil’ skin in the suns’ light.”

Stegian didn’t seem fazed by the introduction of Bradi and the others. His face remained blank as he spoke. “Give me the female and I shall call my men back.”

“No can do,” Bradi said evenly.

“She is a traitor to your people. Hand her over to me and I shall see to it she is properly dealt with.”

Bradi glanced at her, and Jacquelyn had to force herself to meet her brother’s gaze. “A traitor?” he questioned.

“It’s not what you think, Bradi,” she said, hoping he’d listen with his heart, not his head. Problem was, he had no reason to believe her. No reason to gift her the chance to explain. He didn't know who she was to him. None of them did.

Her brother pointed at Stegian. “That monster nearly killed my wife and child. He nearly killed my sister and her children as well. He has tortured Christian, my best friend, again and again—turning his brother against him before forcing Christian to also turn against those he loves.” Bradi pounded his fist on his chest. “He succeeded in turning my own father against his loved ones.” Tears glistened in his eyes. “My baby sister is a slab of meat, hooked to tubes, wires and machines to keep her alive, but she’s not there. She’s dead, only her body lives on. And you want to try to explain how a misunderstanding this big could occur in regards to you being a traitor?”

Sevan stepped forward. “Bradi, let’s just take her with us. You can toss her ass in a cell and deal with her later. I, for one, wouldn’t give my worst enemy to that monster.”

Jordan nodded in agreement. "I wouldn't either. Let's take her and sort it out later. These guys smell funny." He rubbed his nose. As a mix of weretiger and werelion, because of an attack on him by Stegian's genetically altered men, Jordan's senses were even more acute than those of the rest of the shifter males present.

Bradi ran his hands through his black hair, clearly agitated. “We have children and wives to protect now, men. She does not pass through our gates again. He can do what he wishes to her.”

Christian caught her wrist and held it firmly, staring at her intensely. “You did not appear surprised by everything Bradi told you. You already knew what Stegian is capable of, didn’t you?”

A weak nod was all she could muster as she gave in to the hot tears forming.

“You know, yet you worry for him,” Christian said. “I sense your concern for Stegian. I also sense the goodness in you. Tell me how it is that a young woman such as yourself can feel nothing in regards to the devastation he has caused.”

“Enough with the sentimentality,” Stegian said harshly. “Hand her over and we will live to fight another day.”

Two large, fully shifted black panthers flanked Stegian’s sides. He reached down and patted the tops of their heads—and it was all Jacquelyn could do to keep from screaming as fear seeped through her every pore.

She’d suffered greatly at the hands of the two next to him. Her father had also been in the mix, his mind controlled by Stegian’s demon as he mauled her.

She wasn’t completely sure what the next stage was, if she would simply cease to exist or move on to yet another level, but she knew she could not allow blood to be shed over her.

Jacquelyn stepped forth. Her gaze remained on the panthers, terror gripping her heart.

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it a power Jacquelyn had not felt in three years. It was familiar, warm, loving and fiercely protective. She had assumed it was Christian’s power, but now that she had grown into her own, she knew it wasn’t.

Jacquelyn, a deep voice called upon the breeze. Tell them who you are. Your brother will protect you.

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