Page 113 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

A sliver of power.

I promised myself I would never use that power again. Not after what happened the first and last time I was forced to use it.

But now as I stare into Hook’s eyes… My mate. I know I would doanythingto protect him.

But if I use that power and get us out of this mess, I’ll also be leading an even bigger threat to us. Though it looks like it may be our only option right now.

I’d have to deal with the consequences of it after. When Hook was safe and healed.

I look at Hook when he freezes, his entire body turning stiff as his eyes look past me into the forest.

“They’re here,” he breathes.

I whip around trying to spot the Hunters but can’t see anything. Not until I look to the ground.

A cold shiver runs down the length of my spine as dark shadows slither out from the edge of the forest towards us.

With no other option, I turn to Hook, hoping he won’t hate me for keeping this from him.

“I should’ve told you, but I was scared. So scared of what you would think of me.” I swallow hard and try to slowly loosen my reins on the power hidden within me.

He would be right to fear me after this. To hate me. But I can’t let him die.

A look of confusion flashes across his face as I let the power build and build until it slithers just beneath the surface of my skin. Until a different kind of monster awakens and breaks free from its cage that I forced it into long ago.

“Tink… what are you—?”

“You’ve always looked after me. But now it’s my turn to protect you.” No matter what it takes.

With one final look at Hook, I take a quick step back from him and turn towards the dozens of Hunters as they form and gather around us.

“Tink!”

I drown out Hook’s panicked scream as I let myself feel every inch of dread and panic, letting it feed my dark power.

Every sliver of fear and pain, I use it, letting it rise up and up inside me.

Until finally… I let go.

CHAPTER30

Power like nothingI’ve ever felt before unleashes like a tidal wave, pouring out of every cell in my body and knocking the Hunter's back.

Unshackled. Unbound. No longer caged beneath my skin, it settles around me.

Power.The energy inside me feels almost infinite as my senses sharpen.

I am me but alsomore. Something wild, cruel, and beautiful. Something that is far more violent, ruthless and vengeful. It lay hidden beneath the surface of my skin. And beneath my innocent eyes that held my true nature.

But like everything hidden. Sooner or later… they rise.

The world around me becomes something far smaller as my mind expands outward, seeking, searching. Before marking each and every Hunter.

I reach out further and sense Ryland and Cash in the house. Both are unconscious but alive.

Hook was also right. There were dozens of them. All spread out and heading toward us once more.

Though in this form, I know somewhere deep inside me that they could never hurt me, too weak in nature and power to go against what I am.

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