Reclaimed (Shadow Beast Shifters, #2)(94)

My chance to observe was cut short as a huge group descended on us. The bitch in charge had retaliated to my appearance, and I wondered if she thought it was Shadow. Our power was linked in more ways than one, and I had no doubt we would appear very similar if you were only reading energy signals.

Inky took out the front line without an issue, and I was able to use my flames to destroy a couple of others. That was about all I had in me, since I was drained as fuck, the tie to my slaughtered creatures dragging me down to my death. As each one was destroyed to power this war, I lost another piece of my life force.

Swiping up some weapons, I held the two blades somewhat awkwardly, hoping they’d be better than nothing. Swinging the heavy object, the first soldier I met deflected it easily, but I’d learned a few things from Angel and was already following through with the second.

I could see the surprise in the face of the blue-skinned frond, who had not expected me to move so quickly. Probably because I was half-hobbling like a two-hundred-year-old shifter. My wolf rose up and loaned me some speed and dexterity, and when I cut across the frond’s throat, the look of surprise it wore would probably stay in my head for a long time.

Being prepared to kill and actually doing it were apparently two vastly differently things. The next attacker didn’t allow me to dwell for long, but I’d probably revisit that first kill another time. In my nightmares.

Swinging both blades again, I was able to keep them away long enough for Inky to take control and rip the shit out of the guards. “Thanks, buddy,” I shouted as we ran again.

Another creature’s death tore through me and I stumbled, but Inky was there just as Shadow would have been, scooping me up. My legs were weak, and since more guards were heading our way, I let it take me along. We didn’t share a mind, so I relied on pointing Inky in the direction I felt the pull—toward the castle, on the side closest to the lava chasm.

Their energy was so strong here, along with that of the mists, royals, and many other beings. It was a huge jumble of power, literally buffeting at me as we closed in. When Inky got us right near the side of the castle, I patted it gently.

“I can walk from here,” I said quickly. My legs buckled for a beat as I hit the ground, but Inky stayed with me until I found my strength to stand. It then formed a wall of protection behind me so I could lift my head and search for my creatures.

The bond was strong here, thrumming in my chest, and I tried to call them to me, tugging on the invisible cords that tethered us all together. Come to me.

They wanted to, these poor beings in pain, confused about what was happening. They were weak and hurt, but wherever they were, their path back to me was blocked. They couldn’t return to me without my help.

Dammit. Shadow was going to murder me if I actually descended into her evil lair, but there was no other choice. I would sacrifice myself to save them; I would expect the same from him.

I’d join Shadow in burning this fucking place to the ground if it meant one more creature would not be hurt.





47





Guards were still coming after me, but they were far away thanks to Inky and its speedy flight process, so I was able to walk around to find the entrance I needed. It didn’t take long, the literal oozing energy coming from it the first giveaway.

The only issue was the door appeared to be embedded into the wall of the castle, and there was no obvious handle or way to push through. Just the outline of a door, and the sense that I needed to get down there. Shoving the stone didn’t help, kicking the stone didn’t help, screaming and calling it a dumb fucking fuck didn’t help, and when I slumped against the castle, knowing my time was almost up, and we were about to once again be ass-deep in guards, I let out a long sigh.

My wolf pushed up to the surface, and I let her come. There was no other option, and honestly, what could it hurt? She’d always been much more adept at calling the creatures, and she was stronger, able to attack beings that would destroy me.

It was her time to shine.

Inky intercepted the guards, as I shifted in a swift, semi-painful moment. My clothes were destroyed, as always when I didn’t take them off first—a combination of magic and heat literally disintegrated them to nothing more than some scraps and buttons. It was all good, since my fur would do the job of keeping me covered, at least until we finished our quest.

As soon as I was in my wolf form, we picked up so many things I hadn’t had a hope of seeing with human eyes. The monochromatic vision was able to detect a gap in the corner of the door, and I could taste the breeze coming from there.

This was the key here.

Inky!

It must have sensed that I needed it, and as it zoomed to my side, I nosed the small opening, jerking my head to indicate that it needed to go through there and see if the mechanism to open this door was on the other side.

Inky didn’t want to at first, as it shot more energy toward the guards. My wolf growled, pawing at the ground, and our flames shimmered across the red and white of our fur. We could handle the guards; Inky just had to hurry.

Thankful my energy was stronger in this form; I attacked the front line, and like before, I needed no training to know how to fight as a wolf. She was brutal, using flames, claws, and teeth to bounce across them, ripping throats out. She held none of that human hesitance about taking life. It was them versus us, and in that situation, she was without mercy. Without morality questions.