Page 129 of Resolve
It worked.
Relief floods through me in a wave, my body trembling from the adrenaline as I watch Charles bleed out.
We’re free.
Harvey’s siblings are safe.
The Guild is safe.
His chokes subtly shift to a chuckle. A low, terrifying laugh that gets louder with every breath.
He’s breathing.
My heartbeat slows, cold fingers of dread dragging down my spine.
Charles lowers his hand, and I stare—stunned—as dark bronze scales spread from the side of his healed neck to the back of his hands, and his skin darkens with Kellan’s gift. He clutches Jackson’s knife in his other hand.
No...
Charles’s laughter is unhinged as he takes in our shock. He digs his fingers behind the cuff and then snaps it free. “Did you think I spent years learning how to manufacture these cuffs with his gift without considering someone might try to use them against me?” He tosses the useless and broken cuff to the floor.
Kellan bares his teeth, his jaw feathering as he witnesses his own gift blocking us from winning. Jackson has moved to my side, his expression serious.
As long as he has Kell’s gift, he’s untouchable. We’ve blocked his ability to dodge, but what does that matter if we can never break that shell?
We need time.
It was a flaw of Kellan’s for a long time. What are the chances it’sstill a flaw for him? If his clock runs out on his gift, it makes him vulnerable again.
Will we all survive however long that takes?
My stomach twists, not liking those odds. Kellan can outlast him, I’m sure. But the rest of us?
Charles keeps talking. “His gift may work on me directly, but every cuff, every collar, and piece of jewelry... they have a piece of me in there to protect myself. To counteract his gift if it comes into contact with my blood.” He smiles at Dane.
Something Reid once said comes back to me, and my blood chills.
“If he feels cornered when it comes to Dane, he’d rather kill him for the emotional blow it will have on Raegan than allow someone to threaten him.”
He would rather kill him.
Dane’s gift is the only thing that can stop him now.
I run.
“Dane!” I shout as Charles raises his hand.
Dane’s airborne.
I throw myself at him.
If I can knock him down...
If I can at least get between him and Charles...
Something slams into my gut, wrenching the air from my lungs.
Chapter forty-one
