Page 207

"Tell me now, Savior, and I'll make your death fast.How did you overcome the collar?"

I felt that bond stir again, muted beneath Korym's magic. Then the mark on my neck began to burn.

Ah …

Warmth unfurled in my chest, and I smiled as a massive shape stepped up behind Korym.

"I don't know … but I think you have bigger problems to worry about, right now."

Korym's eyes widened, and he spun to see a bloody, nearly dragon-sized wolf staring down at him — golden-yellow eyes full of murder.

"FU —"

Wolf-Tye's massive jaw closed around his head with a sickening crunch and he was pulled into the air.

Korym frantically tried to pry his head free, and I reveled in his muffled screams as the blood-soaked wolf began to shake him.

Left. Right. Left.

The savage motions tore bone and skin, and with a sickening rip, Korym's body tore free of his head, crashing to the ground in a heap.

A moment later, his bloodied head was dropped at my feet.

I almost laughed as his bloodshot eyes tried to blink and his mouth worked soundlessly. "Don't you wish you could dienow, Mage Korym?"

Tye let out a determined snarl, then grabbed the body and began to rip and tear …

In seconds, there was almost nothing left, andfinally, the battle mage's terrible face stilled.

I turned to the stunned wall of soldiers and mechs, searching for Holden.

He knelt before them, watching us with a terrified expression.

Splendid.

"Him, too, Tye. Make him pay!"

Wolf-Tye met my eyes and nodded, then turned on the man, growling low.

Holden turned to the crowd. "Helffff!" he cried through wet rasping sobs. "Helll eeee! Helllll eee!"

But the terrified soldiers and mechs just backed away.

Then Tye was on him.

Holden let out one horrified scream, then went blessedly silent.

A moment later, Tye dropped Holden's bald, bloody head at my feet, and satisfaction unfurled in my chest.

What a lovely pair of prizes …

"Not what I'd planned," I grinned. "But I can't say I'm not happy with how this ended, you fucking bastards!"

"What in the seven hells is that thing?" someone called out from the crowd.

Pressing a hand to Tye, I let my lips form a proud smile.

"Mine."