Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,60

and he was amazing.

At the same time, she had firsthand knowledge of how Tillie’s blood enhanced Lazarus’s abilities. He fought much harder than Zade had. If Nexi battled him, she doubted she’d last long. Now she also understood why the Council had failed to destroy him. Lazarus had them all beat. Tillie’s blood made him near unstoppable.

Through the fight, Nexi witnessed the fierce and raw rage in Kyden’s expression. With that, she grasped why he didn’t run. This fight had become about her. Kyden defended her honor. She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t want this. She didn’t need him to kill Lazarus. She wanted him safe.

“Run,” she screamed at him, knowing he couldn’t hear her, that it was all over now.

Seconds drew on as if they were a lifetime. Although, it became increasingly obvious Kyden had gained the upper hand. Lazarus was powerful, but Kyden possessed something Lazarus didn’t: the hunger to protect his woman.

Throwing a hard punch, Kyden connected with Lazarus’s jaw, sending him airborne to crash against the coffee table. Not giving Lazarus the chance to recover from the blow, Kyden pounced, but Lazarus vanished, reappearing on the other side of the room by the big bay window.

“I’ve had enough,” Lazarus sneered. “Wolves, deal with this.”

A frigid horror seeped into Nexi’s soul and she screamed at the top of her lungs, “Run. Kyden. Run.” Her body froze in pure terror as she watched more than ten wolves enter the living room.

No.

They stalked Kyden, circled him while they closed in, as he backed up toward the wall near the fireplace. Kyden glanced toward the front door, and even Nexi knew he’d never make it outside. He closed his eyes, and she ached to reach out to him to show him he wasn’t alone.

One of the wolves took a step toward him and Kyden slowly opened his eyes again, as if he stared right at her. His face was desolate, eyes defeated, as if he accepted his fate. Tears rushed down her face and they were so cold against her fevered skin. She could barely think, move, or make sense out of any of this. All she wanted to do was stop the wolves, but she remained helpless.

The wolves lunged and attacked, with intent to kill.

“No,” she cried.

Dropping to her knees, she squeezed her eyes shut tight. Kyden would die right in front of her and she couldn’t stop it. Her breath caught in her throat and she hugged herself, praying for a miracle.

This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be the end. This couldn’t be happening.

The sound of the wolves breaking his bones, tearing into his flesh, and hearing him scream out, engulfed her with dread. Her skin flushed hot with panic and grief, her stomach churned, and sickness overtook her.

Making it to the plotted plant, she threw up violently. She retched hard and deep with every inch of its power trying to deny the truth. Only when her stomach emptied did she roll onto her side, pulling her legs up to her chest, hugging herself, holding on tight to survive the moment.

“Stop. You fools,” Lazarus roared. “Don’t kill him. I need him.”

Nexi forced herself to open her eyes and she found the wolves had backed away, and Kyden lay beaten and moaning on the ground. Scrambling forward, she tried to reach him, to try and touch him. Even though she knew this was only vision, she didn’t care.

By the time she got there, Kyden vanished. “No,” she cried, staring at the floor where he’d been. “Lazarus didn’t want him. He wanted me.”

Firm hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her up. “Kyden’s not dead.” Finn embraced her, and the tension in his body mirrored her own. “We’re lucky they allowed him to live.”

Finn’s arms were warming her, but she still was so cold. She pressed her cheek against his chest, so consumed in her own pain she couldn’t feel Haven’s, even if she saw Haven sobbing. “Why would Lazarus take him?”

“No idea, but I’m glad he wants something.” Finn’s voice sounded tight through a constricted throat, his body trembling against hers. “It gives us time to find Kyden.” He pulled her away, gave a firm look, even if his eyes were dark with despair. “Believe me, we’ll find him.”

A low moan came from behind Nexi and she turned to find Talon was on his knees, head bowed.

Releasing Finn, she collided with Talon, and threw her arms around him. Who knew if he wanted this, but