Page 118 of Vengeance Becomes Her

“It all makes sense now.” The Volskruga’s voice was hushed. “The Daughter of Desire born of Death and Blood. As the prophecy foretold.”

Shadows slithered through her, exiting through her mouth and nose in a painful exorcism that left her panting and heaving.

Her wolf. Delphine. They rushed to her side, rubbing against her leg and whimpering. She glanced down briefly, noticing the dagger it’d dropped at the hem of her dress.

The Volskruga hovered before her once again in its human-like form and dipped its head to her. “Your soul called to me because you were made for me. Together, we will bring the world into a new age of violence and darkness. I’ve been waiting for youfor centuries.”

Rhiannon breathed deeply, sinking down to pet Morana. She looked into Delphine’s eyes for comfort, for confirmation, giving her a companionable stroke down her back that allowed her to discreetly reach down and grab the dagger from where it lie. The wolf whimpered.

Rhiannon stood once more, tucking the dagger flush against the back of her forearm as she approached the Volskruga.

“Centuries, you say?” She imbued curiosity into her voice, and vulnerability into her gaze as she looked up into the Volskruga’s eerie black eyes.

It looked back at her with something that resembled hope. If evil entities could feel such a thing. But she used its awe to her advantage. It served as the perfect distraction as she gathered her power into the blade and thrust in into its center.

The black shadows around it halted their pulsing before an ear-piercing screech erupted from the Volskruga. It clawed and convulsed as it tried to grasp the dagger that was sinking inside it. Blood-red mixed with depthless black in a violent collision for several moments and then all of the Volskruga’s shadows disappeared into the dagger with a howl.

The steel dropped to the ground. Black veins now shot through silver and the emerald glowed red. She picked it up, feeling the dangerous power throb within.

She dropped to her knees, barely feeling the cold. Her lungs spasmed, her body vibrated, and her thoughts spun. Her brain was catching up with her as everything that just happened flashed before her.

Tristain’s hand on her shoulder brought her back to the moment. She still couldn’tfeel the chill.

Samara and Kyra stood before her.“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” It was the truth. She didn’t know who or what she was anymore. The wolf nudged her in a comforting gesture. Her lip wobbled a moment before she gatheredher composure.

When she finally stood and turned to Tristain, fear flashed through his eyes. She flicked her gaze away when she addressed him. “It’s not safe for you around me. I don’t know what’s happened and I don’t know how long the Volskruga canbe contained.”

“You’re coming back home. We’ll figure itout together.”

“No, we won’t.” Her voice held more weight, morepower, than it ever had before.

Samara’s gaze widened momentarily. Rhiannon turned her attention toward her and Kyra. “You need to take him somewhere he can get help. He’s going to bleed out if he doesn’t get that taken care of. He’s lucky to be alive as it is.”

“We all are,” Kyra interjected with a hard tone.

Rhiannon only nodded, not sure if she’d call this living. “The point is he needs help, and he can’t do it without you.”

“Rhiannon, don’t do this. Please.” Tristain’s voice ached with the loss he knew was coming but was too stubborn to accept.

“Tristain, this is over. We’re over.” She forced her voice to remain steady. “You will leave. You will forget about me. You will fall in love with someone who deserves you.” Saying the words was like ripping her own heart out with her bare hands and watching herself bleed to death, but she knew the pain was necessary. For both of them.

“I can’t. I love you,” he sobbed, all of his control dropping away as his body sagged beneath the weight of his exhaustion and grief.

“I know.” She sent a rush of red mist forward that left him unconscious. His body slumped forward in the snow.

Samara sank down beside him, shooting Rhiannon a glare that was close enough to hatred to assure her she’d take care of Tristain and clean up the mess she’d made for his sake.

“Get him out of here. And don’t come back.”

She turned away and took the loneliest steps of her life.

“Where are you going?” Kyra’s voice followed closely behind her.

“The cottage. If Silas could live there, then so can I.” Rhiannon subdued a grimace.

“I’m coming with you.” She gripped Rhiannon’s arm, turning her around.

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