Page 102 of Vengeance Becomes Her

“Protection.” They ran across her shoulders.

“Strength.” They wrapped around her throat like a lover.

For a moment there was only her excited breathing. Nothing became this powerful without knowing how to manipulate. She was teetering on the edge. But then she focused on Silas’ ruined body. It served as a good reminder.

“And you could just as easily take them away.”

“You’re stronger than Silas could ever be. Your rage is an immovable force. Your thirst for vengeance boundless. We could serve that impulse together.”

“Myanswer is no.”

Her breathing began to constrict. A booming growl rebounded around the room, leaving her ear drums ringing. “You will belong to me Rhiannon. You will agree to my terms one way or another.”

The pressure released from her throat, allowing her a few short gasps before itfreed her from her shadowy restraints. And then it was throwing her across the room without even touching her. Before she could rise, it was already leering over her, using its shadows to press her into the ground. Cutting off her air supply. Grinding her bones into the unbending floorboards. Sending searing pain through every inch of her body. What could have only been moments felt endless.

“Agree and you can live. Live like you never have before.”

“No,” she croaked out.

The pressure intensified until she thought she’d surely break into pieces and cease to exist.

“If you don’t then I will have to find someone else. Silas’ time is coming to an end. He cannot hold my essence much longer.” It cackled. “Who should it be? Kyra? Samara? Jade? Of course none of them are desirable, but I will use them until I finda better host.’

“No. No. No. No.” She was pleading now.

“Then youwill take it.”

It must have sensed the flicker of desperation in her. The moment she considered that she had no choice. The second she opened herself up to it. Because suddenly the pain subsided and power unlike anything she’d ever imagined began to course through her.

She almost submitted. But she wasn’tgiving up yet.

“No!” She screamed a guttural cry of her dissent, revoking itsaccess to her.

The candles blazed dangerously, flames shooting high. The glass in the windows shuddered and cracked. The floorboards rattled. And when she stood, she was no longer alone with it. A shadow the shape of a wolf sat beside her, its feral growl and snarling seton the entity.

She and the Volskruga stared at one another. Moments passed without the other moving. And then she decided. It was now or never.

Earsplitting growling and crashing erupted as the creatures clashed. She took its distraction as an opportunity, making a run for the door that wasjust feet away.

“Rhiannon!” The growl was drawn from the depths of its void, all-consuming and demanding.

The hair on her arms stood at attention, her heart stuttered, recognizing the threat. But she wasn’t alone anymore, and she wouldn’t cower. She allowed herself one last look at Silas’ body possessed by the Volskruga to remind herself of where this path would end.

“Next time we meet, I won’t be the one gasping for breath. Make the last of your days count.” She didn’t care whether she was talking to Silas, the Volskruga, or both. She would put an end to it all.

---