Page 47 of A Trial of War
I closed the distance in less than a second. Shoving back at the High Fae’s magic, my own power roared in my veins, fueled by pure instinct to protectmy mate.
“Your death will be at my hands, Anjani.” My voice came out in a low, dangerous growl as I stepped protectively over Zola, who was already coming back to me.
“She’s mine, Shaw,” Zola said.
A rush of pride swelled in my chest at her ferocity.
Anjani’s glamour flickered, a slight panic bleeding through her composure before a wicked grin replaced it. “You won’t win this. Bring out the other female.”
Gods, no. Neera!
I spun toward the tree line. Guards stood on either side, pinning her arms. She was fighting, every muscle screaming, every ounce of her will focused on breaking free, but their hold was too strong.
Zola stood beside me, ready for blood. Thankfully, Seamus seemed to fade into the forest, likely trying to fight against the commands of his blood oath and give us a fighting chance.
We had seconds to clear the guards, free Neera, and figure out how to take Anjani down before she could twist this into another trap.
We launched forward to attack, with Zola fronting Anjani, while I took on the guards holding Neera.
One guard went flying before he even had time to react, slamming into the trunk of a tree with a sickeningcrack. Neera twisted in my direction, relief flashing in her eyes, but then a third guard came at me from behind the brush.
A heavy blow knocked the wind from my lungs and spun me sideways. I turned and slammed my shoulder into him, forcing him off me. My hands found his throat in the next breath, squeezing until I felt his throat collapse in my grip.
Standing, I surveyed Neera as I approached her side. She was bound in irons, but hope returned to her gaze.
“We’re going to get out of here,” I said.
She inhaled a sharp breath before screaming, “Shaw! No, behind you!”
His footsteps were silent. I never heard him coming until it was too late.
A roaring scream erupted from my chest as a blade sliced through my flesh, the iron-tipped weapon digging deep. An intense pain radiated throughout my entire body. The overwhelming burning sensation engulfed my senses as the blade's tip sank deeper. Until all I could see, all I could think, was pain.
“Pathetic,” a familiar voice said, the blade twisting further. “You’re so predictable, Shaw.”
Chapter Nineteen
Shaw Black
I stiffened, unable to fight back. There was a ringing in my ears as another scream threatened to rip from my throat in sheer agonizing pain.
“No!” Neera yelled.
But she couldn’t reach me. Couldn’t help me.
My assailant removed the blade with a sickening squelching sound before he stepped forward to grab Neera.
I collapsed to the earth. My head thumped against the cool grass beneath me as a pool of crimson stained the surrounding greenery. The world moved in a blur. I blinked, struggling to keep my eyes open. The strength of my body fading into a distant memory.
“Shaw!” Zola’s scream pierced my haze.
My eyes flew open, and I stared up at my attacker. “Gilen…”
The golden eyes I had known since childhood stared back at me with a cold, steely edge, absent of the warmth I once knew. From the shifter I once called my alpha. My friend—
Gilen bent to grab Neera’s shackles and dragged her from the tree line toward Anjani.
I groaned as Zola reached my side, her hands applying pressure to my wound to try and slow the bleeding.
