Page 39 of The Huntress (The Blood of Legends #1)
Chapter Thirty-Nine
AN EPIC CLUSTER-FUCK
T he gathering masses squared off, underlining animosity tainting the air enough to fragrance it. Callie shot nervous glances at the beasts throwing angry growls at the smirking suckbloods. She was certain Syl and Rhys had made it clear no one was to shed blood, and only accidents would be tolerated. The day was going to hell in a plaid-lined handbasket.
Tension rippled along Gabe’s shoulders, visible under his tight T-shirt.
She nudged him and shook her head. Keep calm.
I can scent their anger and resentment. It feels centuries old.
Gabe, remember why we’re here.
He snatched her against him for a kiss. I must keep the huntress in check.
She snorted before pursing her lips. Syl striding across the chaos drew her attention from Gabe’s lust-filled stare. Rhys met him halfway and rumbled a greeting.
“Your kind lacks honor. To tempt us with offspring is crueler than usual, Alpha.” Syl thrust his furious face in Rhys’s.
That wasn’t an easy feat, with the werebear over six feet in height.
“Your kind is fickle. We no longer tolerate your killing sprees and disregard for family.”
“Ah, so we’re at an impasse?” Syl folded his arms across his chest with an irritating smirk claiming his face again.
“A life for a life, vamp,” Rhys roared but didn’t transform yet.
They’d decided he’d blend in better if he remained in human form.
“Last one standing wins Inner City.” Syl offered his hand for a shake. Rhys slapped it away and lunged.
Bodies flew across her vision—beasts contorting into various animal forms, suckbloods darting across the docks. It looked good. A well-choreographed dance as each cog in the wheel performed its role to perfection. Until a pain-filled cry wrenched the air. Real claws and fangs emerged. Beasts roared and suckbloods leaped into the air before descending to strike. Blood splattered the concrete floor. Unmoving bodies littered the battlefield with moans of agony underlying the sounds of flesh ripping and punches connecting with skin.
Shit! She shot glances at Gabe who trembled, the need to fight blurring the edges of their connection. The tantalizing scent of blood permeated the air, and her fangs slid out to dimple her bottom lip. Untie me. I won’t stay out of this, Gabe.
He fumbled with the ropes, tearing them away and setting her free.
She grimaced, rubbing her stinging wrists. We need to save as many as we can.
Save many . He curled his fingers into fists.
She slipped in front of him and slapped him across his face. He turned his gray-eyed gaze to her, a hiss escaping through his clenched jaw. Are you with me, Gabriel de Winter?
Yes. He forced a smile, and she raised her hand to slap him again. He caught her wrist and yanked her in his arms for a knee-weakening kiss. I’m with you, always.
They spun to battle the writhing masses, swinging uppercuts, hooks, and kicks, leaving a trail of bodies behind them even as she screamed at them to cease fighting. She was a poor peacemaker. She blurred from combatant to berserker, neutralizing as she moved. She’d drawn her daggers, not to kill, but to poison. Her instincts demanded she come prepared.
The beasts and suckbloods collapsed to their knees, and over one head, she tossed Gabe a dagger or two. Her arms should’ve grown heavy, but she wasn’t human anymore. Amazement made her stare at them, at their automatic actions, nicking beasts and suckbloods with speeds almost beyond her ability to see. Words tumbled from her mouth, as if she bargained for peace. In a way she did, but they didn’t listen, and now she performed the action for the senator’s eyes. She snorted at Syl and Rhys’s demand she remain neutral. Fools!
Bring them to me, and I’ll throw them into the bay, Gabe said.
She scrambled backward as if to imply weakness. They followed, unaware that as enemies they stood alongside each other with the common goal to kill her. She sighed, holding out her hands as if to placate them. When they lunged, she leaped, sending kicks and jabs, dropping them one by one. Gabe tugged each one off the pier, tossing her daggers back at her when she’d lost her last one. She mourned the loss. Those weapons had been with her for years and had helped her escape many situations, not unlike her current one.
Where are they coming from? I didn’t know we had so many participating today. She threw a glance at Syl and Rhys who fought alongside each other, trying to keep their alliance intact. Neither killed, but later, there would be quite a few in agony on both sides.
Almost done, my love. Gabe’s mental voice was calm, and a scan of his mind revealed it wasn’t a ruse. Gone was the red haze of battle lust from earlier.
I’d like to finish this before the sun rises. Fighting at a disadvantage doesn’t sit well with me. As it was, her energy leaked from her with the first rays of the sun touching the bay’s water.
If Syl or Rhys endanger you in any way, they will not be happy with my retaliation. Red tinged their connection again, and she sent her love in waves, calming him.
Black-uniformed suckbloods cut a path through the masses and bowed before her. They gave her their backs and formed a circle around her, even as more of the pal’tsy swirled outward, neutralizing as they moved.
Dimitri sent his fingers. I could kiss him! She lowered her arms to watch his men work.
Swift and effective, with their usual lethality missing. Any deaths from today would cement the feud between the suckbloods and the beasts. It would be a shame if that happened. She’d come to respect Rhys as an alpha.
No, you won’t kiss Dimitri. Gabe said, conveying an image of him scowling.
There’s only one grumpy ass suckblood I want to put my lips on. She slid her remaining daggers into her boots and stepped over the strewn bodies to reach him.
The circle of pal’tsy shifted with her.
I can’t decide if I’m delighted or offended by Dimitri’s need to protect me. Does he not trust me?
Since he has an attachment to our daughter, I’d say you’re delighted. Gabe brushed his lips across her temple, and she sighed with contentment.
Remind me to thank him later. She tugged his arms around her, nuzzling her nose across his blood-stained sleeve.
There better be no kisses.