Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,38

didn’t present itself.

Defeating Holten had been obtainable. With Zade, she quietly began to panic, even as she held her own as best she could. His hits came at impossible speeds and each one nearly broke her. As time drew on and the fight continued, she merely defended herself against him and had yet to strike back.

What seemed like a lifetime later—which was probably only minutes—she was soaked in sweat, and breathing heavily, but Zade had yet to weaken. She needed to end this. As strong as she was right now, that wasn’t going to last.

Shouts of encouragement filled the air around her. It did nothing to offer her a greater strength. However, between the hits, past the pain he issued, an idea formed. She couldn’t defeat him physically. The Master of Vampires had her beat, but he was a vampire, and that she could use to her advantage.

Before he issued another hard kick to her gut, she pushed him away with a grunt of effort, grabbed her sword and without a thought, slashed her own arm. The pain blasted right through her, a scream ripping from her throat as the warm rush of blood trickled down her arm and the metallic scent coursed through the air.

Zade’s eyes darkened, his nostrils flared, and he stopped dead. He looked at her with hunger raging in his expression, his fangs out as his lip lifted. In that hesitation, she swung with every ounce of strength within and screamed right along with it.

Kyden had been right—the move did feel natural and she’d never experienced such power, as if her destiny had arrived. A wave of warmth rushed over her and for the first time—maybe in her entire life—her purpose became all too clear. No questions filled her mind. Certainty lived in her soul. The doubt she’d suffered since she arrived in the Otherworld vanished, replaced by the knowledge that she was a guardian.

If the sword had been sharp, Zade’s head would have toppled off nicely. Since it wasn’t, it left a deep cut, which started healing before her eyes. His dark, wild eyes held hers as he took a step toward her, then, with a speed she could hardly register, he stood on the other side of the cathedral.

Nexi spotted the fight in his features, knowing he’d put distance between himself and her blood. It surprised her how difficult it seemed for him, as his internal struggle was obvious. She’d think he’d have more control than that.

Zade grinned, even if his posture remained tense. “Interesting approach. Well done.”

It appeared her idea had shocked him and she wondered if no one had tried that before. Desperate measures, she supposed. Dropping the sword to the ground, she exhaled, exhaustion making her feel a thousand pounds heavier. Silence drifted around her and she tried her best to catch her breath.

She glanced around at the silent crowd, then after a long pause, everyone in the room erupted into loud praise. First, she found Kyden in the crowd, and he gave her a tight nod with pride shining in his eyes. Yet, something else held in his features, too—something intense. And at a quick look, his posture was more tense than when she entered the Council’s Hall, almost as if he restrained himself.

Trapped in his fierce stare, she’d never been so grateful. His training her made her succeed tonight. Now she could hunt the wolf that killed her family. She owed Kyden more thank yous than she could possibly give.

Before she had the chance to understood his look, Talon approached her and dragged her focus away from Kyden, as he held out a silver sword with both hands. “The Council welcomes you, Nexi.”

She took the sword from his hands, which was surprisingly light considering how long it was. The handle had a black leather grip with what looked like silver sparkles—she assumed that was the magic—and the blade was a deep shiny silver.

Spinning the sword in her hands, she noticed Guardian was engraved in gold on one side of the blade with Nexi on the other.

My sword.

Talon turned to the crowd. “Welcome, our new Guardian of the Otherworld.”

The crowd erupted in hoots and hollers, and Haven rushed forward, plowing into her. She wrapped her arms tightly around Nexi, and a rush of intense happiness coursed along the strands of their bond.

“You did it,” Haven exclaimed, squeezing tight. “I’m so proud of you.”

Finn barked a laugh as he settled in next to Nexi, and gave her a proud slap on