Prowled Darkness (Dante's Circle, #7)(27)

“It’s time,” Malik’s uncle spoke softly. “You’ve been pretending to be the Leo for long enough to know you aren’t worthy of the title. Step down now before it’s too late.”

Eliana stood up as Malik did, aware that Jonah was near them, but not close enough. He had Penelope in his arms, and yet she couldn’t reach them.

This wasn’t good. Not at all.

Others began to fill the room then, quickly and in force. She met Jonah’s gaze and the other man brought Pen closer to his chest. He gave Eliana a nod, and she knew he would protect her child with his life. This was the part of her Ripley had told her about, the part that spoke of knowing. She might not know who exactly was against Malik, judging by the amount of people in the room now, but she knew Jonah was on their side.

She had to trust in that certainty or all would be lost.

“What is the meaning of his?” Malik asked, his voice deadly calm. “You come into my home where I’m with my mate and child and threaten me? You’re not in line for succession, old man. You haven’t been since I was born.”

The man threw up his hands and spat. “I was second in line for years before you were born. You were a mistake. I killed that bitch of a mother of yours so she couldn’t make any more brats, but I apparently should have killed you long before this.”

Eliana let out a curse as the tendons on Malik’s neck stood out.

“What do you mean, you killed my mother?” Malik’s tone was too low, too dangerous.

“Exactly what I said. Your mother didn’t simply die in childbirth, you fool.”

You killed your Queen because you’re a power-hungry *?” Malik snarled. “Did you poison your brother, too? Did you kill my father?”

The old man shook his head. “No, I didn’t do that.”

“But I did,” Malik’s aunt spoke up, her shrill voice sending shivers down Eliana’s spine. “The man was far stronger than he should have been,” she cursed. “It took decades for the poison to work and still he wouldn’t die. He clung to life like the mangy cur he was. My mate should have been Leo, not you or that father of yours. We will rule the Pride as it should be. Pure and with power. Not with random scraps coming in to muddle the bloodlines.” She narrowed her gaze at Eliana. Apparently, Eliana was the scrap in this case.

If it all weren’t so deadly, she’d have laughed at the drama.

Malik didn’t say anything for a moment, and she knew he was biding his time. There had to be forty lions in the room now, men and woman who were traitors to the throne and to his family. He’d been dealt blow after blow, and yet he hadn’t lashed out. He was waiting because he knew he was outnumbered.

And Eliana wasn’t strong enough to protect herself.

She just prayed Jonah could get Penelope out in time.

“I’ll give you twenty seconds to get out of my home,” Malik growled.

“You’re a clueless idiot, not fit to rule the Pride,” the old man spat.

With that, the forty lions shifted at once with Malik joining them. Eliana screamed and turned toward Jonah, needing to get to her child. But as soon as she turned, Jonah jumped…jumped. He was a jaguar, not a lion, and even with one leg, could run faster than the others, and could apparently jump faster, as well.

“Save the Leo!” Jonah called out as he smashed through the large glass window, his body protecting Penelope’s small frame. Some of the lions chased him, but she prayed he would be fast enough.

Malik roared again, and she turned on her heel as he fought off four lions. He was stronger than all of them, including the two left in human form—his aunt and uncle. Eliana did the only thing she could and picked up a lamp, smashing it on the head of the nearest lion. She was stronger as a phoenix than she was as a human, but she still wasn’t a freaking shifter. She’d fight until she couldn’t anymore and pray that it would be enough.

Another lion swiped at her and she screamed when his claws ripped through her side. She’d moved just enough that it hadn’t gone deep, but it still hurt. She wasn’t a warrior. She was an artist and a mother, but damn if she’d let her mate die alone.

Others came into the room then, Malik’s guards, and she prayed they were on their side. When the new group began to fight the other lions, she almost let out a breath of relief. They weren’t alone anymore.

But it might be too late.

Malik’s Aunt Prudence moved forward, shifting as she did, her intent on Malik. Malik had his back to the other woman and his attention on the other lions fighting him. If he didn’t turn soon, it would be too late and Eliana would lose him.

Eliana did the only thing she could do.

She moved between Prudence and Malik, using her body as a shield. Maybe she wouldn’t die here, maybe it would only hurt and Malik would have time to live. Or maybe she’d turn to ash as her kind did. She knew she was risking it all, risking her life and her future with this one action, but she couldn’t not do it.

If she died here protecting the one she loved, she might not come back. She might not rise from the ashes.

When the lioness’s fangs slid into her throat, Eliana knew this would be the end. There was no way she could survive this, but Malik would live. That would have to be enough.

Malik roared over her, and she felt weightless, even as his arms came around her.