Page 107 of Forged By Heart and Claws
“Maybe I should offer you a chance to surrender again, but I no longer feel generous.” Colm flew toward the bride’s door, leering down at us. “Now, attack.”
When no one moved, his eyes narrowed at the guards below. Many of them gripped their weapons, but they glanced between us and Colm again.
“I said,attack!”
The hired guards stiffened, and then two dozen of them surged forward with weapons drawn, moving mechanically, eyes glassy, as if their bodies weren't entirely their own. Some charged with eagerness, others with visible reluctance, but none stopped.
Veralt swung a bench like a club, cracking it across the nearest attacker’s helmeted head with a brutal crunch.
Thalen stepped forward, hands sweeping wide as glowing wind blades shimmered to life around him. “You really shouldn’t bet against us,” he shouted.
I shoved myself up, and pain rippled through my side. My wings flared wide, casting long shadows. “You fucking bastards, we’ll end you once and for all.” Magic pulsed hot in my veins.
Colm sneered. “Handle her, Calla Lily.”
He slashed his hand through the air. A streak of gray light exploded from his palm, forming a magical smoke rope that wrapped around Vad and flung him like a rag doll across the chamber. He crashed into the double doors with a thunderous crack.
A jolt of pain seared through the bond.
“Vad!” I shoved myself up, my wings flaring out behind me.
Calla Lily dove toward me, her wings blazing with fire and her eyes full of bloodlust. "With pleasure," she snarled.
Flames danced between her fingers, and she hurled a fireball at me. I rolled aside, my back muscles shifting instinctively to move with the wings I didn’t know how to control. The fire struck the marble behind me, charring it black.
I’ve got her, I linked to Vad.You handle Colm.
My wolf howled within me, no longer distant but vibrant and ready. Power surged through my veins, ready to break this bitch apart. I'd shift soon, but this fight needed to happen in my human form.
"I've been waiting for this," I growled, planting my feet and raising my blade.
If you need me—Vad started, but I cut him off.I will, but don’t worry. I’m fine.
Annoyance flared through our bond.Not funny, but I’m counting on your word.
Calla Lily hurled another fireball at me, the heat blistering the air. I rolled aside, my wings flexing on instinct. They beat once, lifting me off the ground. The sensation was disorienting but exhilarating—my wings simply obeyed my thoughts.
I launched myself at Calla Lily, sword raised.
“Pathetic.” She twisted in midair, easily dodging my swing.
Below us, Colm’s soldiers fought the wolves and my friends. Vad’s shadows boiled as he lashed out against Colm, and Colmstruck back with smoke blades. Vad’s hooked shadows pierced stone walls and pillars, but didn’t fully strike Colm or land on him as he was too quick. Frustration flared through our bond, and I guessed that Colm was faster now.
Calla Lily’s fire scorched past my cheek as I swerved in midair. The heat singed my skin, but I barely registered the pain. My new wings responded to my instincts faster than my thoughts.
“All you had to do was return to your little human life,” Calla Lily spat, flames curling around her hands. “If you’d gone home to Earth and returned to your pathetic family, none of this would’ve happened.”
I twisted and flew higher. “Thisismy home,” I snarled. “And I’ll burn before I let someone like you take it.”
She sneered. “It could have been so simple. Prince Vad dying peacefully in his sleep. Elara too. Such a tragedy, but she was always such a weak, simpering little thing." She lifted her hands and sent out a broad blast of hot air.
It slammed into me like a freight train, sending me spiraling backward. My wings flailed, and I crashed against the groom’s door wall, the impact jarring every bone in my body. My head snapped back, striking the stone.
I’m coming,Vad linked.
I slid to the floor, gasping. Stars burst across my vision. My limbs refused to obey my order to move, becoming dead weight, dragging me down.
"Fuck," I gasped. She was stronger than I’d thought. My wings hung limply behind me, muscles trembling. My wolf snarled, furious, pushing me to move.Focus on your fight. I can take her.
