Page 17 of The Lands Defying
I roll, going through the hooded figures like they are not even there as I kick a foot out and connect with the rogures face. I have no time to wonder how the fuck it is a solid body as black saliva splatters on the ground, and a deadly growl comes from its throat as it comes at me again.
But it doesn’t get the chance.
A black rope wraps around its neck, yanking it away from me. Darius appears behind it, his eyes furious as he gets on its back and wraps his hands around its neck.
We both know his magic could have done it for him, but because it came for me, he wants to personally do it.
The deafening crack seems to echo around us as Darius’s angry breaths go along with it.
The rogure falls limp, and I look at it with wide eyes.
This is a memory, how the fuck is this possible?
Darius stands over the rogure like it will come back alive, his hands flexing, those two large masses behind his shoulders moving angrily.
“Dar,” I say gently, and his eyes snap up to me.
At one time, that much fury in his eyes would have sent a shiver of fear down my spine, but I know it’s not for me.
He seems to snap out of it when he takes me in on the floor, and he rushes towards me, landing heavily on his knees, hands on me in the next breath.
“Are you hurt? Did it bite you.” His hands are frantic, looking for nonexistent injuries.
“I’m fine,” I tell him, reaching out hesitantly, and then placing a hand on his cheek when he doesn’t stop. “Darius,” I say a little more forcefully, and his eyes snap to mine. “I’m okay.”
His eyes bounce between mine for a moment, but then he breathes a sigh of relief, nodding. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Six
Rhea
“Took you long enough,” Taylor says when I enter the dining room, his eyes looking for any sign of injury.
I huff at him. “I’m okay.” He waits a moment, and then nods, coming to rub his cheek against mine.
“You need to stop leaving us for days at a time,” Colten whines, next to rub my cheek when Taylor moves out of the way.
I pat his head and rub back. “Sorry,” I say, and I mean it.
We have all been together for a long time, so being away from them is not something I like to do.
It makes me think of the others, of Kade, and my hands start to shake at the feeling of loss rattling through me.
Hudson squeezes my shoulder and moves to sit down with Colten, and then Josh is in front of me.
“I know,”he says down the link and I nod, folding into his arms, a familiar growl at my back sounding. “Does he ever stop?” Josh mutters, nuzzling the side of my head.
I chuckle. “No.”
He moves to take a seat next to Sarah, who waves and smiles at me. I nod my head at her, noticing how much healthier she looks. I’m glad.
Seb is here next. “Been up to no good without me?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows and pointedly looking at my neck. At the bite Darius purposely left there in the shower this morning. “Invite me next time, I’m sure I can make it better than your babysitter.”
I shake my head at him with a chuckle, accepting his hug. When he doesn’t let go, just to piss Darius off, he’s flying over the table in the next breath and slamming into the wall across from me.
I gasp and turn my wide eyes to Darius.
