Page 72 of Monster's Pretty Bride

Tears streak down her cheeks. “It’sinsideme.”

“Thenpush it out!”

She trembles violently.

Then shescreams.

Magicshattersaround us, the force of it knocking meback.

A wave of white-hot energyeruptsfrom her body, the groundsplittingbeneath us. Theshadowscreeches.

And suddenly, it’sgone.

Catalina collapses.

Ilunge, catching her before she hits the ground.

Her body islimp, her breathing shallow, her face pale as death.

“Catalina,” I whisper. “Stay with me.”

She stirs weakly. Her lashes flutter open, her gazeclear.

“Eryss…” A weak smile. “I… I heard you.”

Achokedbreath leaves me.

I clutch her tighter, my heartslammingagainst my ribs.

Behind me, I hear Naranus move, his presence radiatingheat.

“She’s safe,” I whisper, my throat tight. “She’s free.”

But where isAmelia?

Andwho—orwhat—was controlling my sister?

I barely have time to process it before the sound ofbeating wingsfills the air.

More enemies are coming.

33

NARANUS

The battlefield reeks of blood and magic, a heady mix of smoke and death. I should haveneverlet her stay. Should have dragged her away kicking and screaming if necessary. And now, she’s here again, standing in the wreckage,fragile, vulnerable, yet looking at me like I’m the one who needs saving.

I couldwringher delicate little neck.

But there’s no time to argue.

The sound ofwingsfills the air. Heavy, powerful beats. Theenemyis coming.

Thryx crashes onto the ground beside me, wings torn, blood trailing from a deep gash across his chest. His breathing is ragged, but his eyes are sharp. “We need tomove,” he growls, wiping blood from his mouth. “I’ll cover the escape.”

“No,” I snarl. “We go together.”

Thryx’s lips curl in a wry, bloody smile. “Youalwayswere a stubborn bastard.”

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