Page 113 of Vengeance Becomes Her

They weren’t alone, she could feel it in the thickness of the air around them. She crept forward toward the threat she couldn’t see. Her wolf was there with her. She stepped between two closely grown trees and a hand clasped around her throat.

The next second she was turned back toward her companions, her back pressed up against Silas’ firm chest. His snakes were already winding around her.

Morana growled and barked but Silas’ knife was at her throat and the snakes rearing back as it stalled the wolf fromtaking action.

Silas shoved her forward to where her friends waited.

Samara’s bow followed him as he closed the distance. Tristain and Kyra held their swords ready butdidn’t advance.

Despite how tightly the snake’s wound, she refused to drop her daggers from her grip, even as her fingers tingled. They were close enough now that she could see the fear in their expressions as they took in Silas’decaying form.

Tristain’s mouth opened and closed as he searched for the words to greet his brother who was now visibly more monster than man. Silas was no longer keeping up the glamor. Perhaps he couldn’t.

She felt the muscle flex in her chest at the clear heartbreak that crumpled his handsome features.

“Silas.” It was as if he needed to summon the courage to continue. “Let her go.” His voice was firming.

She could feel Silas tense. “Tristain.” His voice was tight. “I will admit I’m surprised you’ve let another woman latch onto your heart so soon. I wouldn’t have thought there could be anyone else after your dear Leylah. Although, I suppose I can see what draws you to her.”

Rhiannon’s wolf was snarling viciously, circling them as it looked for any opportunity to get her free. Silas paid it no mind.

“Vengeance becomes her, wouldn’t you agree brother.” His taunt echoed in the empty woods. “There’s something beautiful about this newfound strength, I will admit. Don’t think I don’t notice the flush of your cheeks, the heaving of your breasts, it’s good to see I still have aneffect on you.”

He slid his hand down her shoulder to her chest, slithering it over her shirt. His palm rested against her frantically beating heart that betrayed her second by second. It pulsed in response to the pressure of his cold palm.

“Your heart stillraces for me.”

Rhiannon gasped at the sudden pain that seized her. The constriction slowing the air to her lungs and oxygen to her brain. She tried to buck against him, but her body began to grow limp between the pressure of the snakes and his sudden attack. Panic kicked in as her vision grew hazy. Her head felt light.

“Open your eyes, Rhiannon.”Delphine’s voice pierced through her panic.

“I can’t.”

“You must.”

Rhiannon was fading. Even the pain in her chest was dulling.

“Open. Your. Eyes. Or he wins.”

The anger that flared within her brought her back to the present. She could feel that Delphine was still with her. Knew that her eyes were glowing that brilliant green.

“No!” Her scream came from the deepest part of her, the part clawing for survival. It was guttural, more animalist than human.

Silas’ hands wrenched away to cover his ears. His snakes vanished with the disruption.

The others looked on, eyes filled with fear and hands on their ears to block out the deafening sound.

As soon as her arms were free, she raised her blades and lunged for Silas. He stared at her in shock. Despite the disorientation, he easily avoided her. She sheathed them, pulling her sword free instead. She needed a longer reach. As soon as the metal came free, she heard her companions racing over to join her.

“Delphine,” Silas growled noting the glow of her eyes. “This is the last time you interfere.” His voice had taken on an impossibly deeper tone, the one that belonged tothe Volskruga.

Rhiannon raised her sword, putting up her arms to signal for them to stay back. She didn’t know what they were dealing with right now. Her wolf was back at her side, ready to attack.

Silas’ red eyes were especially disorienting when they were set on her with the murderous rage she saw there now. Whether it was for her or Delphine, it didn’t matter. They were one in the same in this moment. Rhiannon put more distance between them, watching him carefully and trying to gauge his next move.

He bared his teeth.

She could feel Kyra and Samara standing at her back. She spared them awarning glance.

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