Page 102 of The Vampire's Redemption

Felix lowered her to the ground and then disappeared. A second passed. Two. Gabby took a deep breath and struggled to her feet. Felix was locked in heated battle with Jiaren beside where the crystal had fallen.

She thought she’d thrown it far away, but it rested less than ten feet away. It had taken everything she had to toss it, though the force of her throw left something to be desired.

Gabby snapped her eyes off the crystal’s enthralling glow. A quick glance around her showed her they were alone. What had happened to Pierre and the others?

Pain burned across her shoulder. Not hers. Felix. He was hurt. No time to worry about the others. She drew her swords and lunged at Jiaren, who avoided her at the last second.

Let’s flank him,Felix said in a grim tone.

She took Jiaren’s left with Felix to the right. Adrenaline flooded her system. She slashed, he kicked, Jiaren blocked both. Fighting beside Felix came as naturally to her as breathing. She anticipated his every move, his every thought. Felix raked his claws over Jiaren’s face. He ducked away, right into Gabby. She stabbed her blades into his back.

Jiaren roared. A wave of overwhelming energy smashed into her; Gabby tightened her grip on her swords and took them with her as she flew back. Jiaren blurred. Her heart stopped when he was suddenly before her. She girded herself for the hit. But it didn’t come.

The Chinese vamp lunged right, avoiding Felix’s swipe.

Are you all right?Felix asked.

Her sides heaved for air and her muscles ached. Minor scrapes covered her from head to toe but she was alive. Still fighting.

Movement at the corner of her eye. She had a heartbeat to understand it.

Stop him!she shouted.

Felix was already gone. He tackled Jiaren to the ground, less than three feet from the crystal. Jiaren snarled and bucked, throwing Felix off. Felix landed on his feet and rushed his opponent, punching, kicking, slashing.

Gabby joined the fray, her world narrowing down to grunts and groans and pure survival instincts. They only needed to immobilize Jiaren a second to decapitate him or yank out his heart, but he was too strong. His wounds healed instantly while theirs remained.

Jiaren’s foot slammed into Felix’s knee. Crack. A wall slammed down between their mating bond before his pain hit her.

Felix!

She tamped back the urge to check on him and knocked away Jiaren’s slash at Felix’s throat. Her right sword cut open his side right before fiery agony exploded in her middle.

Her eyes snapped wide. Jiaren’s face was inches from hers, his talons buried in her stomach and his fangs bared in a wide smirk.

“You should’ve taken our offer,” he hissed.

He twisted his hand. She screamed, pain drowning out everything else.

Then Jiaren was gone.

Felix. He attacked the Chinese vamp like a madman. Gabby watched, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she fought back fiery agony coursing through her. Blood flowed down her front, her body too spent to heal the wounds.

No, not mad. Felix’s vampire was enraged, but he was still in control while using his full strength against Jiaren, but she sensed his exhaustion. If only her ordeal with the crystal hadn’t weakened him as well. They couldn’t win against Jiaren, not in a battle of attrition.

Free me.She almost jolted at Alistair’s voice in her mind. Her head snapped toward him. She’d forgotten him during the fight.

How?

Kill one witch.

Gabby gave Felix a warning before she darted to the nearest witch. Occasional flashes of light warned of the shield surrounding the witches. She remembered how it’d felt the last time she’d touched the shield.

An idea came to her as she saw the light from the crystal.

Don’t even think about touching it.Felix ducked Jiaren’s slash.

Trust me. Keep him occupied.