by Katie Reus
“We already know about your boss’s stupid plan to take over the human realm.”
“Not ssss…stupid.” He shook his head once.
To Fiona’s surprise, one of the wolves walked over with a glass of water and held it to the doctor’s mouth. After he took a sip, he continued. “They have a plan and…a partner.” He whispered the last part, the terror in his voice no match for the stink of it rolling off him.
“We’ll get back to the partner bit. For now, tell me about this poison. We know you’ve been mixing human blood with my friend Javier’s blood.” Finn looked over at Javier.
The doctor’s gaze trailed after him, as if seeing the half-demon for the first time. He blinked then started shaking when Javier gave him a cold smile.
“Yes. I have.” The doctor’s voice shook but at least he wasn’t slurring. “It’s more than just the two mixed bloods. I’ve added…other ingredients and had to process it. And none of it’s written down. You need me if you want to replicate it!”
“Is there a cure for the poison?” Finn asked, ignoring the small outburst.
Fiona held her breath as she waited for the male to answer. There had to be one. All the muscles in her body tightened as time passed in slow motion.
The doctor cleared his throat, rasped out, “Yes.”
A lie. The scent was overwhelming.
No cure.
On instinct she called on her dragon. Felt nothing. Not even a hint of her dual nature, her other half. The vast nothingness clawed at her, made her want to scream at the unfairness of it all.
Ian growled low in his throat as numbness spread through Fiona like slow-moving lava, scorching yet holding her immobile.
“What did I say?” Finn’s voice was that familiar icy calm.
“There’s no cure,” the doctor said but didn’t look at Finn. All his attention was on Ian—a seven-foot pale blue warrior who was completely naked and clearly ready to rip this guy’s head off. “There’s a hint of magic and…another blood in the mixture.”
“What type of blood?”
The male paled and he shook his head. “It’ll kill me.”
It? Fiona frowned.
Ian leaned down, got in his face then cursed as the doctor started convulsing. “What the—I didn’t touch him!”
The scent of blood filled the air.
Cursing under his breath, Finn stretched the human out on his back as the man gasped out his last breaths.
When Ian and Finn stood up she realized what had happened. Blood gushed out on the floor, covered his pants as it pooled everywhere. The doctor had sliced his femoral artery. Crimson pooled out around his body and his pants were completely soaked with blood.
“What the ever loving hell,” Solon snarled.
Clearly the dead human had been hiding a scalpel in his pocket. They hadn’t even checked him because why would they? Even though fear laced her veins she stepped into the room and started scanning the shelves. There were books and notebooks they might be able to use. She sure as hell wasn’t giving up. “We need to take the samples,” she murmured, moving to a makeshift refrigerator. It wasn’t like one in the human realm but the doctor had created an icebox of sorts to store vials of blood. They were all labeled.
“Found a carrier.” Ian was next to her in seconds, a cushioned case in hand. Clearly what they’d been using to transport the product to the human realm. She wondered how it managed to survive the exit, but the case appeared sturdy and padded. And they knew for a fact that someone had been selling this shit in the human realm per Gray, so it must survive the trip just fine.
Fear bubbled up, wanted to take over, wanted to drown her with the knowledge that she was dying. But she ruthlessly shoved it back down. What the hell was she going to do? Panic? Freak out? No. That was for weaker beings. She’d deal with this head-on and if she discovered that there truly was no cure, that no one could help her, well… She’d spend every last second she could in Ian’s arms. For now, they had work to do.
Once they’d packed up everything they might be able to use later, utilizing all their packs and any bags in the lab, they headed out. It was time to go.
Ian had dressed again and wasn’t bothering with camouflage at this point. The castle was eerily silent as they moved up a flight of interior stone steps. Finn wanted to go out a different way than they’d come, to eliminate as many threats as they could.
But there were none, not even in the great hall. All the hairs on Fiona’s arms stood on end as they reached the main exit to the castle courtyard. Beyond that would be the moat but they still had to make it through the courtyard first. Unfortunately she could scent many, many others outside.
Damn it. Maybe they should have left another way.
The main door, at least thirty feet high and just as wide, was open, revealing a drawbridge. She couldn’t see anyone but she could scent them.
“I’m going to call Colm out for a death match,” Ian said, looking at her. Not Finn but her.
She sucked in a breath. Death matches between supernatural beings had a long history. After a fight to the death, the victor walked away free and clear without interference from the loser’s comrades. It was an ancient practice and she wasn’t sure of the original language it came from, but death match was pretty much understood by all supernaturals. “Ian—”
“I have to. It’s the only way we’ll all make it out of here without losing anyone. I can scent at least a hundred half-demons out there and I’ll still have to take on Colm. I won’t be able to protect you while I’m fighting. I won’t risk losing you again. Never again.” There was no give in his voice before he turned and shouted out “Death match! You and me, Colm! Now!” Ian’s naturally raspy voice echoed out loud and clear for anyone in the castle courtyard to hear.
Ian was strong, capable, but…she couldn’t stand the thought of losing him again. Of him being in pain. No, no, no. She wanted to scream at him to stay with her, for them to escape through another exit, but she knew her male. Knew he wouldn’t back down from this challenge now that he’d extended it. He was too honorable.
Silence descended for a long moment before another shout filled the air. “Agreed. Victor walks away. No interference during the battle.”
Ian turned to Fiona, cupped her cheek gently. She turned into his callused palm, her throat tight as she stared into his amber eyes. “Come back to me.” It was all she could force out.
He looked as if he wanted to say something, but simply nodded and turned from her. Immediately she felt the loss of his touch, but everything else came back into focus as he strode away, a warrior going into battle.
She watched as he stopped next to Finn. “It’s the only way,” he said to the Alpha. “I kill Colm and the others will be honor bound to let us go.”
“They’re half-demons,” Finn said.
“I’m a half-demon.” His voice was wry.
Jaw tight, Finn nodded. “If they don’t hold to the bargain, we’ll destroy them.”
Ian nodded once, shot Fiona a look of undeniable love that broke her heart before he strode out through the main doors. The light from outside bathed him, highlighting every inch of raw strength and power in his huge body.
Finn gave his wolves a sharp look and they fell in line with him, following after Ian, but Fiona was already moving past them. The Alpha didn’t give her orders and she was going wherever Ian did. She’d follow the male into any battle, into Hell itself.
Never again would she be separated from him. Not until she took her last breath.
The truth was, she wasn’t even sure she could abide by the laws of the fight. Because if her brother was close to killing Ian, she was going to intercede. She wouldn’t be able to stop herself.
Chapter 21
Ian kept his expression neutral as he strode out into the courtyard of the castle. Only now did he realize why Colm had agreed to fight him.
Finn’s wolves—and Ian’s brothers and sister!—armed to the teeth, some covered in bl
ood, were in the courtyard as well, facing off with a bunch of half-demons. And they were evenly matched.
Ian wondered if the Alpha had known his people were coming or if they’d just shown up. He’d find out soon enough.
Now he was in warrior mode. He was going to kill Colm. Then they were getting the hell out of here.
Ian kept all his focus on Colm. The male looked cocky, just as he remembered him the first time he kicked his ass.
This fight might be to the death, but it was just another fight to Ian. Just another ring. Just another bully to put down. Because that was all Colm was. A bully. He was on a larger scale than most but he wanted to take over the human realm because he thought he was better than everyone else.
Ian couldn’t dredge up any guilt that this was Fiona’s brother either. Hell no. Especially not since this bastard had known she’d been poisoned, had maybe done it himself. Had been fine letting her leave because he thought she was going off to die.
That wasn’t happening. But this male was about to die.
Ian looked between Colm and the half-demon next to him. He didn’t recognize the male, but that meant nothing. He didn’t know anybody from this realm. “I want your word that the victor leaves unscathed. You know the rules. Will you abide by them?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to kill you and then I’m going to kill all of your people.” Colm’s voice was cocky, his expression smug.
Ian looked at the half-demon instead of Fiona’s brother. “When I kill your leader will there be bloodshed or will my people and I walk away?” Ian was certain that Finn would end up destroying everyone here eventually, but Ian’s priority was getting Fiona out of here and to the healer.
“Everyone leaves except that half-demon, Javier, if you win.” He shot a sideways glance to Colm and then straightened. “It’s a moot point since you will lose.” But there was a hesitancy in his voice.
If Colm heard it he didn’t acknowledge it. But the half-demon’s words were good enough for Ian. At least for now. Because he wouldn’t trust this male or any of his comrades—and no one was keeping Javier from leaving either. At this point Ian was fairly certain that with Finn’s wolves and his own brothers and sister—he was still pissed that Cynara had shown up—they would be able to take on this army.
But he’d already called for a fight to the death. The truth was he wanted to kill the bastard, wanted to rip Colm’s head from his body. “Rules?” Because there would always be rules. Unless this fool wanted to go fully dragon. In that case Ian would destroy him in seconds.
Colm must have known that because he shifted once on his feet, clearly losing some of his cockiness. “We stay in our two-legged form. No flying and no fire.”
“Fine. What about claws and canines?”
“All fine. Just no fire. Same rules as fifty years ago.”
A grin spread across Ian’s face. He’d never been one to talk trash in the fighting ring but he couldn’t help himself right now. “I remember how fifty years ago turned out. This time I’m not letting you walk away so easily.”
Colm simply glared at him and ripped his tunic over his head, tossing it to the side.
Ian did the same, stripped off his tunic and weapons. He didn’t need them. He’d seen Colm’s moves and they weren’t impressive. Though many years had passed so Ian knew he couldn’t get cocky. That was a mistake he’d never made. He didn’t underestimate his opponents.
He had a feeling Colm was going to underestimate him, however. Ian was in his half-demon form now. Bigger and stronger than the first time they’d clashed. But Colm had this ridiculous notion that the blood in his veins made him superior.
As they both stripped down to just loose pants, everyone moved back, creating a huge circle around them. It was shockingly quiet, or maybe he’d just tuned everything out. The only thing he could hear was the wind whistling. But he could barely feel the cold; he was too jacked up on adrenaline.
Staring at Fiona’s brother, he only saw a slight familial resemblance in his espresso hair and blue eyes. This male exhibited none of her warmth, her goodness, the very essence that made her who she was. No, this male was everything that was wrong with the world. And Ian was going to end this now.
In a fight, he worked second by second. The ultimate goal was obviously to put his opponent down. But everyone fought differently and he had to adapt to his opponents’ fighting styles and use both their strengths and weaknesses against them.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his siblings—Rory, Bo, Cynara and even Javier—move in so that they surrounded Fiona. Yeah, he trusted and respected Finn, but he knew his family would protect her in a way no one else would.
Just like that, everything else fell away. He could truly concentrate on this fight knowing that she was protected. As protected as anyone in this realm could be.
He lasered in on Colm, watching the way the male moved, the agile way he stepped, how he’d already released his claws.
Ian needed to make the first strike. It would be a psychological blow to the obnoxious dragon. The male who thought he was better simply because of the blood that ran through his veins.
His own dragon rippled beneath the surface, the need to release his fire and annihilate this threat overwhelming. But he shoved it back down. He wouldn’t dishonor the fight. Though the truth was if it came down to it and Fiona was in danger, he would break every rule there was.
“I’m going to kill her when I’m done with you. The only smart thing she ever did was not mate with you. But she’s still a whore,” Colm snarled, taking a step closer.
Ian let the male’s words roll off him. Soon he’d mate with Fiona. This piece of shit was simply an obstacle.
“She cried out for you a few times when my parents locked her up—”
Ian moved lightning fast, slamming his fist into the center of Colm’s face, crushing his nose even as he slashed out with his other hand, raking his claws across Colm’s chest. He dug deep, ripping away flesh before the male flew back in the air under the impact of Ian’s punch.
Colm slammed onto his back ten feet away. Gurgling, he jumped to his feet. His nose was clearly broken and even though they healed at a rapid speed, it would hurt like a bitch.
Not only that, it would hurt Colm’s ego. Which was what Ian wanted.
Colm rushed at him, claws out and body tense. Ian dodged to the side, and the male swiveled, following his movements. Then he lunged at Ian and they fell on each other like savage beasts.
Pain fractured up his side as Colm dug his claws into Ian’s ribs but he ignored it, ignored everything but the driving need to put this male down.
He slammed his fist against the other male’s kidney, then his ribs, then stomach. He felt his own body being pummeled but it was easy to ignore as he continued beating the shit out of Colm.
He brought his fist up, slamming it against Colm’s already broken nose. The other male cried out in pain even as he drove his fist against Ian’s chest. Digging in with his claws Colm tried to break through Ian’s chest cavity, no doubt to rip Ian’s heart out.
Ian slashed out with his own claws, going straight for Colm’s neck even as he slammed a fist down against Colm’s clawed hand.
He broke the contact from his chest, and Colm sliced at Ian’s forearm, trying to make Ian stop choking him. He still didn’t release his grasp—until the other male kicked out at Ian’s knee.
He heard the snap before he felt the break and tumbled back into the dirt. Even though he was already starting to heal, his body was exhausted from the long flight and no food.
Growling low in his throat, he took pleasure in the fact that Colm’s throat was shredded and bloody. He balanced on his good leg, tracking Colm’s movements as he started to slowly circle him.
He could feel his bones and ligaments knitting back together but his knee wouldn’t be healed by the time Colm attacked.
The other male lunged suddenly, moving in low as if to tackle Ian. But Ian had learned not
to allow his weaknesses to slow him down in a fight.
Calling on every single reserve in his strength he had, he crouched low and sprung high into the air. He put most of his pressure on his good leg but there was no choice but to use both. Agony ripped through him, but it was a small price to pay as he came back down and landed on Colm’s back.
He wrapped his arm around Colm’s neck and squeezed tight, even as he wrapped his legs around the male. His knee might be broken but he had a lot of strength in his thighs.
Colm bucked at him, trying to dislodge him. Ian rolled onto his back but didn’t let go. Using his claws, he punched his fist through Colm’s back. Another surge of adrenaline pummeled through him as he wrapped his fingers around the male’s beating heart.
Growling, Ian yanked his hand back, and loosened his hold around the dragon shifter as he shoved to his feet. Blood pooled in the grass and dirt of the courtyard, spilling out in a rush around the fallen male’s body.
Ian tossed the heart to the ground, and moving quickly, snagged one of Colm’s daggers—the one crafted from dragon fire. No one else would be getting their hands on it. As he sheathed it, he started scanning for Fiona. She stood in the middle of his siblings, but shoved them out of the way as she ran to him.
She didn’t even pause, didn’t care that he was covered in blood and had just killed her brother. He didn’t let his guard down, was completely aware of the half-demons watching as she jumped into his arms.
He held her tight, never wanted to let her go. If she didn’t care about the blood, he would let it go as well. They were free to leave. If the half-demons kept their word.
As he scanned everyone he realized he didn’t see Javier anywhere.
“He’s gone,” Fiona murmured, as if she’d read his mind. “Finn sent him away with some of the samples, told him to try to escape out the gate.” Her voice was so low he barely heard her.
He shifted slightly as the half-demon who appeared to be Colm’s partner stepped forward. On instinct, Ian shoved Fiona behind him even as his siblings, Finn and a handful of wolves came to stand next to him. To his annoyance Fiona elbowed him so that she could move next to him as well.