Chapter Twenty-Six
Ryker
“He’s lost his fucking mind!” My brother’s gaze remained fixed on the giant beast sizing up my mate.
The Zarythian’s massive head moved with a hypnotic sway as it locked onto Cadence. Its serpentine body, sheathed in enormous scales, shifted with such force that the ground beneath it groaned under its weight.
It didn’t strike.
Not yet.
It was savoring the moment before the kill. Its forked tongue darted out, tasting the air, and my Temptress clenched her jaw as she forced herself to stay still.
Good girl.
Movement would trigger its attack.
“So, it’s a giant snake?” Callum asked.
“It’s also venomous,” Riordan said, not taking his eyes off Cadence.
“Figured.” Callum took a cautious step closer to the railing, his gaze locked on the monstrous creature below.
“That’s not all.” My brother grimaced. “Its breath is laced with toxins, and if it gets close, its coils can crush even the strongest metal. That’s not counting the fact that it moves like liquid death.”
Below, the Zarythian exhaled. It was a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through the arena. Cadence’s hair lifted from the gust, her brown strands dancing in the serpent’s breath.
Fuck. She’d piqued its interest.
“She needs to move now,” I growled, my hands tightening on the stone ledge. “The only reason it hasn’t struck is because it’s testing her, playing with her. Once it’s had enough, it will strike.”
“She knows what she is doing,” Callum said, sounding offended on behalf of his sister.
“Oh, she’s faced a Zarythian before?”
Callum turned toward me and stepped into my space. “You underestimate her.”
“She can’t move,” Riordan said, drawing our attention. “Not yet. It hasn’t chosen.”
“Chosen?” Callum’s eyes widened. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Sometimes they lose interest and decide not to —”
Riordan’s words died on his tongue as the Zarythian leaned forward, its enormous head lowering until its eyes were level with Cadence’s.
A low hiss vibrated the air.
She stared back, unflinching.
Then, without warning, the Zarythian recoiled, its massive form rising as its jaws stretched open, wider than nature should allow.
Callum swore, and Riordan tensed.
“Move, Cadence!” I roared.
She sprang into motion, diving to the side as its head snapped forward, striking the space that she had just occupied. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, cracking stone and flinging dirt into the air like an explosion.
Cadence rolled, her palms scraping against the rough terrain as she scrambled to her feet. My heart slammed against my ribcage as rage flowed through my veins.
The Zarythian’s head whipped around, its eyes narrowed, slitted, and cruel. It locked onto her with terrifying precision, and with a slow flick of its tongue, it tasted the air as though catching her scent.
“Get up,” I said, as if she could hear me through the cacophony of sounds.
“Move, Cadence!” Riordan shouted, echoing my earlier warning.
She moved fast, but the beast was faster. It pivoted, scales rippling like smoldering armor, its coils dragging deep trenches in the ground. It hissed, a sound so low it triggered an avalanche of apprehension inside my chest.
“Come on, Temptress.” Fear tightened my throat as I watched the serpent surge forward.
Cadence zigzagged her way across the ruined earth as it slammed its body down behind her. The Zarythian recovered quickly, striking again, undulating like a whip through the sand. Cadence vaulted over a slab of broken stone, twisting midair as the serpent’s fangs snapped mere inches from her heels.
She landed with a thud, and the beast hissed again, angry now. She pushed herself up and sprinted toward the edge of the arena, but her boot caught on a jagged stone hidden beneath the dust.
Cadence went down. Hard.
The breath punched from her lungs, her knees and elbows skidding against the ground as she twisted onto her back.
The Zarythian’s head reared above her.
“Cadence!” Shadows erupted from my fingertips. But I was too far, too slow.
The serpent struck.
And a wall of stone erupted from the earth.
A massive slab shot up between Cadence and the creature’s descending jaws, slamming into its snout with a bone-rattling force. The Zarythian retreated with a furious screech, its body recoiling in pain.
She stared up at the monster, wide-eyed, as dust clung to her sweat-slicked face. Next to me, Callum sagged against the wall, his fingers digging into the stone until it crumbled beneath his grip.
Cadence’s gaze snapped to the balcony, and Callum gave her a subtle nod, careful not to expose his involvement. My Temptress didn’t waste the opportunity her brother had gifted her as she scrambled to her feet.
“You underestimate her,” I repeated in a poor imitation of Callum’s voice.
He dusted his hands against the fabric of his trousers. “I’m her brother. It’s my job to protect her, so it doesn’t count.”
I wanted to scoff but held back, knowing he’d just saved my mate’s life. Gratitude burned through the frustration, anchoring me as I watched Cadence square her shoulders.
She didn’t run this time.
She turned.
In one fluid motion, she unsheathed her sword, steel flashing silver in the dusty light. The monster snarled, shaking off the pain, eyes locking onto her with renewed fury. Its enormous head lowered, tongue flicking out, tasting her defiance.
She circled it, slow and deliberate, her blade held low as her boots crunched through the debris-strewn arena. The Zarythian mirrored her, its neck undulating in perfect tempo, coils sliding with deceptive grace.
Every step was a test — hers and the beast’s — both waiting for the other to flinch.
“She’s baiting it,” Callum said, his voice laced with pride.
“She’s not baiting it.” I narrowed my gaze, my eyes fixed on her. “She’s challenging it.”
The Zarythian struck again, quicker this time, a blur of emerald and obsidian. Cadence spun to the side, her sword arcing up in a tight line. Steel kissed scale, and a spray of black ichor misted the air. The serpent screeched, rearing back in fury, blood sizzling as it hit the ground.
“She got it,” Callum said, releasing a strained breath.
Not deep, but it was something.
Cadence didn’t stop. She moved fast, dodging and weaving as the monster lashed out. The tide hadn’t turned yet, but she’d found her rhythm. The seconds seemed to slow as the Zarythian struck again, its massive head lashing forward with sickening speed.
This time, Cadence wasn’t fast enough.
Fangs like curved daggers sank into her shoulder, slicing through flesh and muscle. The serpent’s momentum tore her from the ground, snapping her sideways with ease.
She let out a strangled cry, raw and visceral.
Her sword flew from her grip, clattering uselessly across the arena. Blood blossomed on her tunic in a violent splash of crimson. It soaked the fabric, spilling over her ribs and dripping down her side in rivulets.
“Cadence!” My voice was ragged and full of something feral.
Shadows burst from my palms, wild and unrestrained, answering the surge of anger that ripped through me. I felt them coil and lash, feeding off the primal fear that squeezed my gut.
The Zarythian lifted its head, shaking her like prey caught in its jaws.
But she didn’t scream.
Instead, she clenched her teeth, her face paling, but her eyes were alive and burning.
She wasn’t down yet.
The Zarythian released her, but instead of scrambling away, she rolled toward it. With her uninjured arm, she snatched up her sword. She dragged herself beneath its head as it prepared to deliver the killing blow.
Cadence wrapped her arms around the thick column of the creature’s neck, letting it lift her with its movement. Using the weight of her own body, she swung herself upward.
The Zarythian thrashed, but she held fast. She slammed her boots into its slick scales as she hauled herself onto its back. Her breath was ragged, and blood continued to gush from her wounded shoulder. Still, she was relentless.
With a scream that was equal parts rage and agony, she drew her blade high and drove it straight into the crown of the Zarythian’s skull. She buried her sword deep into the creature’s brain, and it spasmed violently. A terrible screech rent the air as it flailed and writhed in anguish.
Cadence held on tight, teeth bared in a soundless cry, riding it out as the monster convulsed beneath her. A final shudder ran through its body, and then its fight drained away.
The enormous serpent collapsed, crashing to the ground with enough force to shake the arena. She slid off its back and dropped to one knee, panting heavily with blood staining her lips.
Silence fell around the stadium; the crowd was too stunned to even breathe.
“Holy shit,” Callum said, his mouth hanging open as he gaped at his sister.
My heart hammered in my throat as I stared down at her.
She’d done it. She’d fucking done it.
Then the entire crowd exploded.