Getting to my feet, I crack my neck and let my monster out to play—my eyes bleeding black, my claws extending, and strength surging through me. It comes easier and easier each time. He was an asshole, but he’s right, we are changing. I’m becoming...more than just a skinwalker. I can feel it, the power growing within, wrapping me in its arms...the question is, what will I become and what are his plans for me?
I have a feeling Veyo doesn’t want to share that kind of information, even if he knew. No, he was ordered to break me, and he will try.
I will kill them, rip their faces from their bodies and wear them as I laugh. “Come on, boys, let’s play.”
Veyo nods and they rush me in a wave. They are stronger than humans, the magic of the witches running through them, making them almost as strong as me. Almost.
I throw myself at them, taking them down. I rip out one’s throat with my nails. I take the other’s own energy weapon from him and use my strength to stab it into his chest. He jolts and shakes with a scream as he’s locked in an endless cycle of electrocution.
Someone smashes theirs into my back, and I lurch before spinning with a howl and gutting them. More and more come at me, and I fight and slash, taking down as many as I can. I know I won’t win, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m going to hurt them, show them they might be able to subdue me, but they will never break me.
Tim couldn’t.
Death couldn’t.
These magicked up bitches can’t.
They start to overpower me and I end up on the floor, still hacking and kicking, but soon I have to curl up to protect myself, their boots and magic too much. Veyo cackles and I glare. Fuck these pricks and their agenda.
Refusing to let them see me hurt, I laugh, spitting my blood in their faces as they rain down punches and kicks on my curled up body. I continue to laugh until a boot slams down on my head, knocking me out.
“See you soon, dragon.” Nos shakes my hand and I return the gesture. Maybe they aren’t so bad after all, they do seem to love Dawn, that we can agree on at least.
“Try not to die before you bring us that council, dickhead,” Griffin orders, and I snort at him, sweeping my leg out to kick his sofa on purpose as I turn. I hear him swear, making me smirk as I head outside and straight into the road that leads to the forest behind his house. I follow his directions so I can find a secluded place to change and return to my car. I need information. I have to go back to the witches and pay yet again. I wonder what they will ask for this time.
I will pay it, they can have all my gold and treasure if it means keeping my mate safe. I refuse to consider what is happening to her right now, I can’t without losing it. I will, however, try to contact her tonight through our link before I leave the witches’ safety net. Even if it’s just for a moment to see for myself that she is okay.
I head to the very edge of the street and walk until I find a cove of trees. Stepping inside, I make a nest out of leaves and fallen branches and settle to try and contact her. It’s dangerous out in the open, but I have to try.
Animals still, sensing me nearby. The forest smells crisp and of magic, old magic, undoubtedly from the forest god my mate has claimed. This is his land, after all, and I can sense the fae here and there as well, and a recent trail to the left of me a couple of miles away. I map the land in my head, letting my dragon out to see and sense any threats. When we find nothing, I settle back down again and try to force myself to relax.
The branches crack with each shift of my body, and I wish I could make an actual nest. My dragon is restless, and just when I am about to give up, I finally slip into a troubled slumber, my soul reaching across the miles between us, searching for her…
“Dawn?” I call out, my voice loud and echoing.
We are back at the lake of my homeland, the one I