Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Rathbone dove down, down, shifting into a dragon. But the oracle got swept up in a vicious battle with the Phoenix, and though blood poured from multiple wounds and she wobbled on her feet, she held her own. Protective instincts saturated everything, demanding immediate action but he pulled back, flying a circle around the pair.
The warrioress lacked self-assurance in some areas. If Rathbone stepped in and took over, he might bruise her hard-won confidence.
As he watched, wonder and pride filled him. She took as many hits as necessary to protect Maximus. Again and again, the Phoenix made a play for the boy, but the oracle always stopped him.
Rathbone scanned, aggression rippled through his feathers as he searched for any traps the Phoenix might have planted.
What do we have here? Phantoms blocked every path of escape, forming a circle around the combat zone. The apparitions were as bad as demons, able to embody at will and constantly starved for immortal souls. Created by Erebus, they remained subject to his will, able to do what he ordered and nothing else.
These particular phantoms were females dressed in black widow’s weeds. Their milky-white eyes surveyed the battle as they walked in a circle, chanting with monotone voices. “Watch the brawl, hurt anyone who interferes, give Rathbone the message, return to Father. Watch the brawl, hurt anyone who interferes, give Rathbone the message, return to Father.”
Erebus had another message for him, did he?
Anytime Neeka, Maximus, or the Phoenix got too close to the group of phantoms, they erupted into shrieking war machines.
Rathbone flew a circle around the phantoms. Sensing him, they tilted their heads in unison to follow him as he circled above.
Still monotone, they said, “Last chance to save yourself. Kill the oracle or suffer the consequences. The choice is yours.”
Rathbone blew a stream of fire on the entire pack. Even doused in flames, burning to ash, the females walked and chanted. Those specks of ash vanished before ever hitting the ground.
“Let me handle this, Maximus,” Neeka snapped, saving the boy from a fiery wing. When she tripped and crashed, she sprang up quickly. Fresh blood trickled into her eyes, blurring her vision.
“If you were any good at battle,” the teenager snapped back while leaping to a stand, “the bad guy would be dead already.”
She wasn’t in a spot to read his lips. Was too busy huffing and puffing, kicking a fallen syringe when the Phoenix reached for it. As it soared across the clearing, landing with a thump near a tree, she proclaimed, “You are so grounded when this is over.”
“And you are tiring, wife,” the Phoenix said. “Surrender now. Take the injection like a good little submissive. Perhaps I’ll show you mercy. Eventually.”
“This is an A and B conversation between family, Dan, so why don’t you C your way out.” Going on the offensive, she threw herself into the Phoenix and swung her body behind his, clawing out his throat.
The lord healed swiftly. So swiftly he maintained his stance, reaching back to grip Neeka by the nape and yanking her overhead. As she landed with a heavy thud, Rathbone spotted her melted, blistered flesh, and the sight nearly undid him.
“The remaining doses, administered at once,” the Phoenix promised with a toothy grin, earning her fiercest glare. She wasn’t healed yet, her flesh rejuvenating slower than usual. Too slow. She needed Rathbone’s blood.
The Phoenix dragged her across the clearing, heading for the syringe. “We’ll know if you survive in a matter of minutes.”
Rathbone flicked his tail. Step in?
With a screech, Neeka ripped a wing from the male’s back while kicking his feet together. She hit the ground, and the howling Phoenix toppled beside her. Good girl.
“Weapon me, Red,” she called as she clambered to her feet.
With pleasure. Rathbone flashed midflight, appearing in her grip as a spear. The same spear the dragon shifter Kanta had used on Rathbone.
Neeka offered her opponent a delighted grin of her own.
Maximus raced their way with his claws bared. The Phoenix lunged for him. The oracle spun into the boy’s path and shoved the spear through her ex’s chest cavity. Flames scorched Rathbone, but he endured, ejecting metal spikes into the Phoenix’s bloodstream. The same metal the dragon shifter had wielded against Rathbone.
The Phoenix jerked, roaring up at the sky as his fire died. His knees buckled, and he crumpled into the dirt, where he twitched.
“I did it! I’m incredible! I’m amazing!” Wheezing her breaths, Neeka stomped on the syringe, breaking the glass. Golden liquid spilled over the dirt, smoke curling into the air.
She returned to the writhing Phoenix, yanked the spear free with the last of her strength, and swung it. Rathbone transformed into a sword midway, removing the other man’s head. Not a permanent death for a Phoenix, but a good start.
Rathbone shifted into his normal form just as Neeka crumpled. He caught her against his chest and eased her down.