Page 127 of Third Offense

My stomach twisted at the realization, leaving Novak to fight another few seconds without me.

Because these were once my men, and being forced to hurt them broke something inside of me.

Ketos stepped up beside me to press his energy into two approaching Nora, slowing them down, and creating a barrier between me and them.

But sweat instantly broke out on Ketos’s brow, very unlike the other day when he’d used this trick on me and Novak.

Fuck, I wasn’t even sure how Ketos was alive.

Except, no. I knew how he’d survived.Raven.

However, from the looks of it, he wasn’t fully recovered. Which given that knife through his torso, I wasn’t surprised.

Still, his power was impressive.

And it absolutely made him useful.

The flash of a sword in my peripheral had me turning toward Olaf, his expression tightened into a sneer. “You betrayed us,” he spat at me. “You’re a fucking disgrace.”

“With white wings,” I pointed out again. “Interesting how that happens, isn’t it?”

His lip curled, but it wasn’t a pleasant expression, just a gruesome one. “Lies.” He growled, taking in my measure as we began to circle one another. “You were never worthy of your role.”

“Worthier than you, Olaf,” I deadpanned, aware of his pent-up jealousy over my success. He saw this as an opportunity to pursue glory, by taking out his evil, traitorous commander.

Poor fool.

Screams and chaos erupted all around us as I slowly circled Olaf. Novak took on my warriors, but his onslaught had slowed.

There were too many of them. Sefid had sent the whole fucking legion after us this time.

A single glance informed me that Queen Gaia and Kyril would be pretty fucking useless and half of the Noir that Novak had freed were busy protecting them.

Queen Gaia and Kyril’s powers were ones of fertility and knowledge, not exactly useful in a battle situation.

But Layla was holding her own, using some sort of invisible shield to send the Nora backward. I blinked, confused by it, only for metal to glint a little too close to my throat.

I ducked backward, catching myself with my wings, and threw a knife to my left.

Right into Olaf’s thigh.

He stumbled, but didn’t fall, his power proven by that response alone.

“You’re going to regret that,” he snarled, then he flicked his wrist, revealing a gun of some sort.

And a laser blade extended from his hand.

What the fuck is that?I thought, backing up quickly as he pursued me with his new technologically enhanced weapon.That’s not Nora grade.

But then, nothing about this whole operation felt like a Nora.

It’s all Sayir.

Or at least, it was histechnologythat empowered them all.

He backed me into another Nora, forcing me to defend a blow from behind that further shifted me into an awkward position.

His attack was too aggressive, though. I knew Olaf well.