Page 59 of Mesmerised

“Well, we’ll just have to hope the Fates will be kind to them, won’t we?”

I nodded my agreement, hoping they would discover the happiness that I’d found with Donna.

“I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make. Won’t be long.”

Karl and Lilah were more than happy to help with her training. Along with Karl driving us, Lilah would be at the ball too. It was being held in a huge country house in the middle of nowhere. Why it couldn’t be in a more populated area I had no idea. Maybe I’d have a private word and suggest this to Clement for future gatherings.

The following morning, Donna was up early, and I could sense she was psyching herself up for the combat training. We were down on the beach when I saw two specks in the distance. Undetected by humans, Lilah and Karl alighted close to where we were waiting.

“Donna, I’d like you to meet two of my closest friends. Lilah, Karl, this is Donna, my mate.”

“Hey. Good to meet you.” Lilah gave her a warm hug.

“Welcome to our world, Donna. Sorry you got stuck with this ass,” Karl teased, then brought her in for a hug too.

I couldn’t help the warning growl. This was going to happen each time a male came too close to my mate.

He backed away, chuckling. “Keep cool, bro.”

“Right, let’s get started.”

That was Lilah, straight down to business.

Donna looked over to me.

“I’m going to watch. You’ll be fine,” I assured her.

* * *

Donna

I didn’t know quite what to expect because Antoine hadn’t said a word. All he did mention was that he couldn’t say much as I needed to go in blind. I wasn’t certain if that was the best thing, but I had to trust his judgement.

“So, Hybrid, what does it feel like to know you’re responsible for four deaths?” Lilah taunted.

Karl let loose an evil growl as Antoine’s friends circled me. I was shocked by Lilah’s words too.

“What’s the matter, bitch? Cat got your tongue? What do you reckon, Karl? Is she just scared or fucking stupid?”

They laughed loudly while they continued to walk around me.

“Bit of both. She’ll probably cry and piss her panties, won’t you?”

“Come on,Hybrid.” Lilah said the word with distaste. “Are you going to act dumb, or are you going to fight?”

“Nah, she’s clueless. Her family and friends died for nothing. Gustav should’ve driven her mad well before now.”

Karl’s words brought anger raging and boiling to the surface. My claws and fangs appeared, and a loud roar filled the area. I was shocked to realise the growl came from me. My senses were heightened, and I saw absolute rage and red mist before my eyes. Karl crouched low, ready to pounce. He sprang at me, and I moved backwards. I felt Lilah behind me, my wings materialised, and I shot skywards.

Lilah followed me and, remembering my practice with Antoine, I flew sideways away from her. She chased after me, matching my pace. I dove downwards, and as she followed, I came to a sudden halt and then flew upwards again.

I spotted Karl on the ground; he appeared to be heading for Antoine. All I could see was my mate in trouble. I changed direction and headed straight for him with my claws extended. Just as he was about to pounce on Antoine, I grabbed him with my claws and pulled him away, growling at him as I did so.

To my amazement, I found the strength to fly upwards with him still in my grasp. We fought high in the sky. Then someone was on my back, and I realised I was stuck in the middle of them. I wasn’t about to surrender. I wriggled out from between them. Karl swore and then he grunted. To my horror, I noticed I’d clawed at his torso and made him bleed.

My hesitation was my downfall. Lilah grabbed me by my legs, and going higher in the sky, she shook me from side to side. Her claws were dug firmly in my flesh, blood dripping around us.

“Not so clever now, are you,Hybrid. Fuck, you’re not even worthy to call yourself that. Your parents screamed as they died, did you know that?”

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