Page 127 of Savage Claim

Barric finally stirred awake, his face pale and bloody while more crimson dripped from his wounds. Too bad he’d survive. “Get me out of here.”

“What do you think I’m trying to do?” Roman grabbed Barric’s arm to haul him up.

A growl echoed through the demolished lab as Nik stood, his glamour dropping to reveal the bulky muscles and lethal spikes along his arms. “You’ll pay for killing Nadia, Barric.” His hands curled into fists, and he rushed the barrier, striking it. Instead of getting tossed aside, he held onto the wall even as his feet lifted. Then he struck the invisible blockade over and over again.

My breath caught as hope unfurled in my chest. Maybe Nik could break through.

But Barric’s sinister laugh had ice descending over my spine, and when I turned back to him, his attention was locked on me.

“You may have uncovered the truth about me, Tate, but I see a whole new crop of opportunities for greatness coming my way.”

My brow furrowed at his words until my gaze lowered to his hand, a gold chain dangling from his bloody fingers.

A storm of emotion detonated in me, and I jumped out of Fane’s arms and off the table, crashing right into the barrier. “He’s got the Infernal Sol!”

Fane materialized by my side, his hands pressing against the wall, searching for any weakness. He knew as well as I did Barric was the last person that should wield something so dark and powerful. Coltrane would have been a better choice than him.

“You have no idea what you’re doing.” The voice coming out of my mouth didn’t sound like my own, one warped in fury—and envy. “The Infernal Sol will never be yours.”

Barric pursed his lips and shoved the medallion into his pocket. “Thanks to this, the possibilities of The Collective Hunt are virtually endless now.”

Roman’s stare fell on the head alpha’s pocket, probably feeling the call of the amulet himself. “Let’s go. Jax is waiting.”

I slammed my fist into the wall as they disappeared up the stairs, my heart hammering while panic hemorrhaged through my veins.

Logan flanked my other side. “This is bad, guys.”

“Stating the obvious,” Fane muttered.

I ran my hand over my face, wiping away cold sweat as I turned to the demon shifter. “We can’t let Barric have the amulet. There’s no telling what he’ll do.” Fine tremors raced through my body, and I barely felt the pain anymore. “We have to get it back.”

“We will. I promise.” Fane turned me toward him, his attention falling to the sun tattoo still marking my abdomen beneath my torn shirt. He swallowed hard, trepidation ricocheting through the bond.

The Infernal Sol had left its stain on me, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be free. Even now, the ache for it filled my veins.

I could pretend my intentions were noble—that I wanted to get the amulet out of Barric’s hands to protect the world—but I’d be lying. The Infernal Sol was mine. It should be with me.

I wanted it back. I needed it.

I craved it.