Ruthless Fae - Ingrid Seymour Page 0,49

the ground, Vaughn’s snarls joining the cacophony of the mutant soldiers. Even as my wings screamed in pain, I took to the air and flew toward the two writhing figures.

Just as I approached, unsure of what to do, Vaughn yipped and jumped away, his fur on fire.

Panic seized me. Oh, gods! He will burn.

Before the fire grew bigger, he dropped into a patch of dirt and rolled in it, putting the flames out. He rose to all fours, smoking, bald patches dotting his side, but he was otherwise unharmed.

As Karen rose to her feet, I searched the ground looking for her helmet. When I spotted it, I went for it and quickly put it on. Turning to the horde, I moved to my arms left and right, the way I’d seen Karen do, but nothing happened. The creatures simply continued fighting each other, though a couple of them noticed my erratic movements, stopped their scuffle, and lumbered in my direction.

Oh, feine!

I turned tail and jumped into the air, my wings whirring. I’d only come a couple of feet off the ground when a band of pain squeezed my head so tightly that I forgot myself and plummeted back down, my hands trying desperately to peel the helmet off.

An electric jolt shot from the base of my neck down my spine, and I collapsed. My arms and legs convulsed out of control as pain ripped through me, weaving itself into my muscles, my organs, my very bones.

I screamed in agony, my vision growing dark. I sensed Vaughn nearby, whimpering. Was he also experiencing the same pain? I reached in his direction, my hand jerking as I tried to find him. We were done for. If only I could touch his fur as I slipped away, I wouldn't feel alone.

The pain redoubled. No matter how desperately I tried to hold on to the last shreds that remained, the world faded.

Then the pain stopped, and I felt nothing at all.

I’m dead.

The thought only lasted for an instant before a dull ache settled heavily on me. By degrees, the growls and scuffling sounds of the horde reentered my awareness.

No, not dead. I was still lying on the ground, my body wasted, my legs and arms as limp as wet rope.

Something wet lapped at my cheek. I opened my eyes to a black, shiny nose. Vaughn was licking me and nudging me, trying to wake me up. I came to with a jerk and sat. Vaughn jumped back and continued urging me. This time, the top of his head nudging my side.

Go, go. I could almost hear his words.

What? How? Where is Karen?

Chasing away all the questions, I got to my feet, legs trembling, knees folding inwardly, and knocking against each other. Vaughn pushed his large wolf body against me, propping me up, trying to help me, but Karen’s attack had drained me. I had no strength, and my muscles felt as if they’d turned to pulp. I collapsed to my knees, one arm hooked around Vaughn’s soft neck. The world spun, and I didn’t know which way was up.

The sounds from the horde had become more frantic and savage.

I felt unconsciousness inching its way closer again, trying to claim me. I fought it, focusing my eyes on a crackling blue cloud of electric energy. As I struggled to decipher its meaning, I noticed the storm originated at Karen’s fingers, which she was pointing at one of her mutant soldiers, trying to keep it at bay as it did its best to reach her.

The creature she fought had a ridged spine, leathery gray skin, a horned head, and dogged determination. It seemed bent on reaching the woman who, only moments ago, had been controlling it. I wondered vaguely if even in its addled state, it knew to hate Karen, to blame her for its suffering.

Good, the Habermanns army will destroy Karen and hopefully the evil twins too.

At least, I could die with that bit of knowledge giving me a measure of satisfaction.

Vaughn growled and snapped his head to one side, staring pointedly at me, then at his back.

He wanted me to climb up.

With the last of my strength, I grabbed handfuls of his fur and pushed up with my legs. Awkwardly, I flung my leg over and mounted him, my body lying along his spine as my feet dangled, and I weakly held onto his neck.

As soon as I was halfway secure, Vaughn took off running. My head bounced against his shoulder blades as he