Page 45 of Cruelly Fated
My stamina was draining fast, and with it, the last of my adrenaline. Every step now dragged like I was wading through wet concrete. This pause in the fight wasn’t buying me time—it cost me. I was fading, second by second.
I clenched my fists tighter, grinding my knuckles bone-to-bone and reminding myself what waited for me outside these walls. I had something to fight for now.
I surged forward, ready to strike, when a heavy thud landed behind me. I twisted on instinct, adjusting my stance to keep both threats in view. The newcomer wasn’t just another thug but a massive SOB, twice the size of gargoyles I’d fought today. His wings cast shadows over the bloody floor. His stony gaze flicked to me, then slid past to the six comrades.
The gang leader let out a screech, the kind that raked over eardrums like rusted nails. It sounded like a command.
But the big guy didn’t flinch.
Recognition finally clicked in.
Aragon.
I should’ve known. No other gargoyle towered like that. And no other would step into this chaos unless it served their own agenda.
So why did he?
He had no stake in this. No loyalty to me, or them. If anything, joining either side would only sink him further with the gargoyle clans. That’s what got him a ticket to the penitentiary to begin with. His name featured number one on gargoyles’ precious shit list.
I smirked to myself. If there was one thing more dangerous than a loyal fighter, it was a disgraced one with nothing left to lose.
Aragon spread one wing and extended a lone talon toward the leader in the most badass flip-off I’d ever seen. The gang boss screeched, his stone throat blackening. I arched a scar-cut brow at Aragon. He jerked his chin at the snarling circle and rolled his eyes as if to say:Seriously? I’m with you, dragon.
He flanked me. The gargoyles wavered, weighing their odds of facing both of us. The leader leaped behind his troops, barking guttural orders. Jaws clacked and talons clicked.
Aragon and I launched first. I hammered the nearest gargoyle with a straight elbow, shattering his nose, then caught the next in a head-butt that rang my skull and dropped him like rubble. Claws raked across my back, and a line of fire lit me up. I spun, snapped the attacker’s wing, and let him crumble.
Aragon tore through two gargoyles with ease and slammed the boss to the tiles, one colossal foot on the creature’s chest and a talon poised at his jugular. The ringleader stilled in surrender, and the remaining fighters retreated.
I cut a look to Pete and his captor. The thug released the old badger shifter at once. Pete stumbled and fell to his knees but seemed unharmed.
An explosion rocked the hall. Doors burst inward, tables skittering like dice as guards lobbed canisters. Hissing clouds mushroomed out, and acrid gas clawed down our throats, locking our muscles in place. I forced my legs to move and gripped the table edge before sliding helplessly to the blood-soiled floor, unable to withstand a military-grade paralyzing agent any longer.
Nineteen
ALLIE
“Hello,” I said groggily into my phone. I cracked my eyes open to a deep violet sky, a night lit from below with the glow of hundreds of the Plaza’s vibrant lights. The TV had frozen on a “Are you still watching?” screen. I’d fallen asleep on Kyon’s couch.
“It’s Valor. I’m outside.” Tension undercut his voice.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, instantly alert, bolting to my feet and letting the blanket slipfrom my legs.
“Kyon’s been severely injured. I thought…maybe your presence could soothe him.”
My stomach plummeted. I brought my hand to my forehead.Breathe…
“Allie?”
“I’m coming.” I ended the call, shoved my feet into sneakers, and grabbed my crossbody bag.
What the hell had happened? He was supposed to be getting out this week.
The elevator ride felt endless. When the doors finally opened, I frowned. Instead of the garage, the talking box had deposited me onto a floor that looked like a luxury hotel’s reception area.
“Allie,” Valor called from the end of the hall where a staircase led down toward the main entrance. I jogged toward him, keenly aware of the security guards stationed at every corner.
He placed a hand on the small of my back, gently guiding me through the doors and into his sleek Ferrari. The moment I settled into the passenger seat, I turned to him.
