Page 53 of Kingdom of Chaos (Creatures of Chaos #2)

I try to push the thought away, but it claws at the edges of my mind. Whatever happened here wasn’t a scuffle. It was a message. And if they have Ensley, I’m terrified of what they might do to her now.

We’re met with matching grim faces when we join them, and I know instantly there’s something I don’t know. Something bad.

“What’s happened?” I ask, the words barely leaving my mouth before Titus answers.

“We know who has her,” he says, his voice rough.

He nods toward the figure bound to a nearby tree.

I follow his gaze and have to stifle another gasp.

The guy is barely conscious, slumped forward against the vines holding him in place.

I’m assuming he’s a creature and not a human, because otherwise I think he would have died from his injuries already.

His face is a ruin of blood and bruises.

Both eyes are swollen shut, his nose clearly broken; his jaw is jutting to the side at an unnatural angle.

Deep gashes crisscross his chest and arms, and what’s left of his shirt is soaked in blood.

His shoulder looks dislocated and one boot is missing.

He looks like he got hit by a truck made of fists and claws.

Talon lets out a low whistle and raises his brows at Titus. “You look bad, but now that I see the other guy, it’s clear you didn’t lose the fight.”

Titus doesn’t smile. No one does. Because whatever the bound creature knows, it cost something brutal to get it.

“Who has her?” I ask, and Titus and the others share a look. I’m surprised when it’s Imogen who finally answers.

“Kerrim,” she says, and my entire body goes cold.

I should have suspected, but even so, the news hits me like a shockwave.

“Why? How?” I ask, searching for someone to make sense of this for me.

“He took her to get to you,” Titus says, a touch of bitterness in his voice that makes me flinch.

Seeing my reaction, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair, tinting the white strands pink with either his or his victim’s blood.

“Sorry,” he mumbles.

But I don’t blame him. Once again, it’s my fault one of my friends is hurt. The guilt coils low in my stomach, thick and sharp, like it’s trying to eat its way out.

No matter how many times I tell myself I didn’t ask for this, that none of this was my choice, it always circles back to me.

Kerrim wants me . And those I care about are paying the price.

My resolve hardens. No matter what happens to me, I’m going to end this one way or another. If it’s me he wants, then that’s who he’ll get.

“Let him go,” I order Titus, and he stares at me like I’ve just suggested we hand over the keys to the kingdom.

“Hell no,” he says flatly. “I’m not letting this slime just walk out of here.”

I glance at the creature and think that it would be a miracle if he could walk anywhere right now. We may actually have to carry him out of here ourselves to get him back to Kerrim.

“I’m not letting him go, I’m baiting the trap,” I say, and everyone goes still.

“They took Ensley to draw me out,” I continue, my voice steady despite the ache tightening in my chest. “So let’s give him what he wants. We release this guy, let him crawl back to Kerrim with a message that I’ll turn myself over tomorrow. No tricks. No backup. Just me in exchange for Ensley.”

Titus crosses his arms, jaw clenched. “You want to walk straight into his hands? You really think he’s going to honor that kind of deal?”

“Hasn’t this been the plan all along?” I ask and then cast a wary glance at the creature, not wanting to divulge any secrets in front of him.

“Don’t worry. He’s definitely out,” Imogen confirms, which gives me the green light to speak freely.

“Just this morning we talked about drawing Kerrim out so I can get Shadow Striker away from him. This just moves the timeline up. I won’t be walking straight into his hands. He’ll be walking right into mine .”

There’s a beat of silence before Talon steps closer. His eyes search mine with an emotion that’s dangerously close to fear.

“You’re not seriously doing this alone.”

“I won’t be alone,” I say. “Not really. He thinks he’s playing me, but we’ll set the terms, not him. We control the location, the timing. And we’ll be ready.”

Talon still doesn’t look convinced. His jaw works as he tries to find the right words.

“It’s not that I don’t believe in you, Locklyn,” he says finally, his voice low. “But this is fast. You haven’t had enough time to learn how to use everything you’ve got. Facing Kerrim now, it’s like stepping onto a battlefield with armor you haven’t finished forging.”

The words land in my chest like stones, but there’s no doubt in his eyes. No disbelief. Only concern.

“I’m not saying you can’t take him,” he adds quickly. “I’m saying you shouldn’t have to do it unprepared.”

“I know,” I say quietly. “But if we wait, he’ll have more time to hurt her. And I can’t live with that.”

Kade grunts softly, arms folded as he leans against a nearby tree. “Sounds risky as hell.”

“It is,” I agree. “But it’s the only shot we’ve got to get Ensley back before he breaks her. Or worse. Can you pull together the Order members this fast?”

“It doesn’t look like you’re giving me a choice,” he says gruffly.

I look to Talon next. “Tomorrow, you take the kid gloves off. You’ll have the day to teach me what I need to know to face Kerrim.”

Talon exhales slowly, his expression tight as he studies me for a moment.

“One day’s not enough,” he says. “But I’ll use every second of it.” He steps closer, his gaze steady. “You listen. You push. And you don’t hold back. Because I won’t. Then when it counts, you’ll know how to survive. Because I won’t let you walk in blind.”

I meet his gaze without flinching. “Just to be clear, I don’t plan on dying tomorrow.”

He nods once, like he’s making a promise to himself as much as to me. “Just so we’re clear, I don’t plan on letting you.”

With that settled, I look to Titus. He stares at the bound creature for a long second, then lets out a breath and gives a grudging nod. “Fine. But if he so much as blinks wrong, I’m ending him.”

“He’s barely blinking at all,” I murmur. “But fair enough.”

Talon lingers beside me as Titus uses his magic to loosen the binds around his captive. His gaze is shadowed as it meets mine.

“One day,” he says. “Let’s make it count.”