Page 361 of Once Upon a Fable

Speed made my fists blur and his grunts sound weaker.

Soon.

Soon it would be over, and he would be dead.

Something soft tugged on my shoulder. A voice I couldn’t place tried to wriggle its way through the carnage of memories and mayhem.

“Kas, stop. You have to stop.”

Quell?

No, this voice wasn’t as timid.

Sarez?

No, this one begged me to stop not to keep going.

“Kas, please!”

I threw another strike.

The man jerked as if his body couldn’t take much more.

Triumph blazed through me.

He was close.

Just a little more and he’d be dealt with.

“Kas, you’re killing him!”

I grinned. Good. That was the point.

I struck again and again.

I lost sensation and welcomed numbness instead.

“KAS!” Hands scratched at my neck, trying to pull me away. The scent of papaya and woodsmoke filled my head.

Gemma!

My soul recognized her.

My entire purpose was to protect and cherish her.

I loved her.

I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Fury struck a match on my hatred and anger, renewing my need to kill this trespasser. He’d had his hands on her. He’d. Hurt. Her. He’d made her cry out. He’d put bruises on her skin and fear in her heart.

No.

Never fucking again.

I drove my fist into his motherfucking jaw.

He yelled something.