back of its head. A portion at the base exploded into pieces, leaving a gaping hole. The thing didn’t slow for a second. I rocked my fist back one more time, using supernatural speed, and plunged it into the opening with a snarl. This time I kept it lodged in there. The Mahrac faltered for a moment as I opened my hand inside the hole, feeling and searching for what made this thing tick. It slid to a stop, shaking its head, and it took everything I had to keep my hand inside.
My wolf started to bark frantically. What? What do I do now? My wolf gave an impatient growl. Show me! I don’t get it. She leaned down and nosed the box open. The lid fell back and a blinding light rushed out, racing through all my senses like someone had plugged me in. My first instinct was to shut my eyes against it—it was too much. But I knew I had to absorb it as fast as I could. As I took it in, my consciousness flooded totally to white. Power flushed through me like someone had finally pulled the master switch.
My hand started to tingle inside the Mahrac.
A low pulse in the middle of my fist wound up my arm. I could almost taste the essence of the Mahrac now. It tasted of sorrow. I shivered. The monster had stopped right at the precipice of the cliff. One false move and we would go over. I closed my eyes and focused on its Otherness. It was dense and heavy, and extremely strong.
I edged a single finger in farther, prodding its essence with my nail. It cried out.
Then I felt something else.
It was layered on top like a thick coat of sticky slime. In my mind it manifested as dark red, throbbing with menace. It was choking the Mahrac, forcing it do to its bidding. Selene. Her power was here, inserted like a sickness where it didn’t belong.
Something reared up in my psyche so strongly I almost let go. Everything in me wanted to crush the evil thing inside this being. It made me angry beyond measure—beyond any words. Going only on instinct, I twisted my hand quickly, scooping up as much of its essence as I could in my palm. And with everything I had, I threw all the blinding power I’d gathered from inside the box and sent it hurling at the ball of life in my hands.
I needed to purify it. I needed to set it free.
The monster arched its back and flung its arms out, letting out a sound of echoing thunder. My light encapsulated it completely. Then a shock wave of power ran though my body like a tremor, ending with a huge burst of power that snapped my head back and forced my eyes and jaw to snap shut.
Everything went still.
The light in my mind broke apart and dissipated.
Without any warning, the Mahrac tossed me backward, catching me by surprise. I let go, releasing my hold on it from the inside of its head. I landed on the ground hard, not thinking to right myself, just thankful I was off the beast.
The Mahrac gave me one look before it turned and launched itself off the cliff.
I didn’t have time to be relieved or exhilarated. I was drenched in sweat and completely spent.
And covered in winged devils.
13
They tore at my flesh, their greedy mouths lapping at my blood. My limbs felt heavy and I was so tired. I shook myself, but none of them dislodged. My wolf snarled and barked, trying to force me to move. I know. I know. Adrenaline hit my system in a rush, exiting my nerve endings, and I managed to stand.
I was still in my Lycan from, and surprisingly I didn’t feel much pain from their bites. From what Danny and Naomi had gone through, I’d thought there’d be more agony. Why doesn’t it hurt?
One of the devils feasting on my arm suddenly fell to the ground.
In the next moment it disintegrated, leaving a thick smear in its place.
Did you see that?
A few more dropped. They each made sizzling sounds as they died.
“Jessica!” Tyler screamed. “If you don’t get out of there right now, I’m coming to get you.”
I looked up, startled. He took a step into the clearing. I was happy to see he was up, but I didn’t want him coming after me. “No!” I yelled. “Tyler, stop! Look what’s happening. They’re dying.” I pointed to