Page 133 of Lost in the Dark

I rose from the ground, my muscles aching from the fall and our coupling. The fear in her eyes sent a shard of agony through me, one aimed straight for my heart. “I won’t hurt you, female.”

“Violet!”The male roared and I ground my jaw with the cry. Bright lights carved through the air, shining down from above.

My lips curled at the sight. I fought the urge to fly upwards and smash that glare to the ground.No light…no light…still I didn’t move, my focus consumed by her.

She looked down at her naked body and her clothes on the ground. One lunge, and she snatched them from the ground, yanking her undergarments on, then her pants.

“Violet!”

She flinched with the roar, jerked her head toward the sound. “I’m down here!”

Her cry was a blow to my chest. “Wait…female.” I called out as movement came from up above.

Lights shone brighter. Rocks fell, cascading down to hit the ground. I unleashed a snarl, driving out my wing as one bounced aimed directly for her head. It hit my bruised bone hard, triggering bite of rage. “Fuck.”

She flinched with the bark of anger, looking at me as though she was frightened. But my rage wasn’t directed at her. Only the careless idiot who skidded and slipped in an effort to get to her. I lowered my wings and stepped backwards, into the darkness of the trees as the male lunged, landing on his feet with athud.

“Violet!” he called.

She yanked her boots back on, tearing her gaze from me. “Michael?”

Those bright lights carved through the darkness.

Michael.

His name was a snarl in my head. He broke her heart and caused her pain, and yet he is here, coming to her rescue. Only I had done that already. “Go away,” I warned.

She jerked her focus toward me, knowing exactly where I stood. But the others didn’t, as they raced down the side of the ravine and stumbled toward her.

But it was dark, and their steps were slow, regardless of their puny glows.

“What the fuck are you?” she whispered, the words reaching my ears.

“The male who could treat you better.” The words sounded too much like a plea. “Stay with me.”

She shook her head as that pathetic mortal stumbled toward her in the dark. “I can’t,” she whispered.

Those words stabbed like a blade of light.

Bright, piercing light shone over us. And I pulled away from the glare, drawing my wings up to shield my eyes. A savage, guttural sound ripped from the back of my throat. She stumbled forward as the light washed over her. “Wait,” she whispered.

The need to take her into the darkness rose once more, making me feel malevolent. I’d take her by force if I had to. I’d sweep her up, close my hand over her mouth, and drag her back into the darkness…and away from the light.

I’d do that because I could not let her go.

And the light came again, sweeping over her to pierce my eyes.

“Violet!” the male screams.

Leaves rustle all around her and branches snap. They descend, thundering like a herd of silverbucks that screamed and wailed. I fixed my gaze on the mortal who had broken her heart, who'd wanted her to…matewith another.

I hated him instantly.

“Michael,” she called his name.

And I stepped away…

My heart consumed with agony…

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