Page 107 of Rafe
“High carbon steel.”
“No gun?” Skylar asked.
“I like it messy.” Dominique pointed again, this time using her knife. “Can you take out those two on his tail?”
“I’ve got this.” Skylar aimed and fired a round straight through its head. A broad smile crossed her face. “Like riding a bike.”
“What is going on with Rafe?”
“Rafe is the prophecy,” Skylar replied, “Whatever must be done, it must be him.”
“You sound like Ilsbeth. Hmm. Who knows. Maybe Ilsbeth siphoned off his magick. She can’t be trusted, you know.”
“She won’t hurt Rafe.” Skylar’s eyes widened as Kenji flew over them, diving toward the open flat. She jumped as the fire spewed from his mouth, igniting at least twenty creatures. “Oh my.”
“Now that’s something you don’t see every day,” Dominique commented blithely.
“I’ve never seen a dragon,” Skylar whispered with wonder. “Rad.”
“I don’t know him that well but maybe I should consider it. It’s been years since I’ve had a dragon.”
“Do you ever stop thinking of food?” Skylar shot her a side eye.
“Who said I was talking about food?”
Skylar gasped as she caught sight of the great wolf darting towards Zyaire. “Rafe.”
“Oh shit. Ilsbeth looks like she’s about to break.” The shield began to dim as Zyaire raised her hands, her eyes rolling back up into her forehead, the whites of her eyes flashing in the last of the day’s sunlight.
The sound of a branch breaking took them off guard, a bloody creature scurried up the rocks toward them. Skylar screamed as it wrapped its slippery fingers around her ankle. It squealed as she kicked at it.
“Not on my watch.” Dominique drove her dagger straight through its neck, slicing off its head. She kicked at it until it rolled off the cliff. “Jesus, that’s disgusting.”
“Told ya.” Skylar began firing one shot after another as the creatures rushed Rafe. “Come on.”
Greyson flashed to Zyaire’s shoulder and lodged his teeth into her flesh. He jumped, using gravity, slicing his fangs clear down her entire back. She flailed in an attempt to dislodge him, her body deflating like a balloon.
“What the fuck?” Dominique’s eyes widened.
Zyaire released lightning from her fingertips, striking Ilsbeth, sending her flying back into the base of the mountains. The High Priestess appeared stunned, struggling to stand. The ground began to shake, a portal opening up in front of the witch’s feet.
“I have to warn Rafe,” Skylar told Dominique, focused on Ilsbeth.
“Absolutely not. I’ll help her. I need you to stay up here.” Dominique jumped to her feet, with her dagger in hand. “I’ll be right back.”
Skylar considered arguing but there was no time. The vampire would remain faithful to Rafe by babysitting her if she didn’t agree to stay put. “Yes. You’re probably right.”
“Keep your head on a swivel and mind your ammo. You might need it to defend yourself.” Dominique pointed her. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
Skylar nodded, feigning agreement. Her heart pounded as she watched Dominique run down the mountain. A blur, she moved with supernatural agility, navigating down to Ilsbeth.
Skylar peered over the cliff and began picking off the creatures one by one until she had exhausted every bullet. Her pulse raced as she watched Rafe lunge off the ground, his jaws clamped onto Zyaire’s arm. Like picking off a flea, she tossed the wolf several hundred feet into the desert. His wolf rallied, growling as it stood glaring at the monstrous witch.
Zyaire flickered in the dusk, her body morphing. Skylar’s heart pounded in her chest watching as a huge eye formed on the back of Zyaire’s head. As the swirling black eye blinked open it set its sight on its target. Rafe.
Enraged, Skylar closed her eyes, focusing on Rafe. My Alpha, she called to him, allowing her mind to reach for his. Though she couldn’t hear his voice, his magick flowed through her.
The calls from ravens echoed in her mind. Danger. Help. In desperation, she prayed they heard her, warning them of her enemy. She stood with her arms toward the heavens, willing herself to fly.
