29. Amethyst
Twenty-Nine
Amethyst
“ S KYLER!”
The scream tears up my throat. I frantically try to free my arms as the ropes bite into my wrists.
Desperately trying to do something. Anything.
But fail. I reach inside myself, searching for any kind of connection to the wolf I know lives within my veins.
I can imagine myself becoming the wolf, but I don’t know how to make it reality.
I will my bones to change, my skin to sprout fur. All to no avail.
Everything moves in slow motion around me. Sage shoves Skyler out of the path of the bullet Enzo fired — releasing one of her own just before taking a hit to the chest. Skyler completes his shift, hesitating for half a second to glance at Sage.
“ I’m fine, secure the target!” I hear Sage snip just as Skyler leaps into action. Enzo hits the floor a beat later clutching at his chest. “Mirixia’s fangs!” He chokes out the curse. In one swift motion, Skyler is on him. Even in an injured state, Enzo manages to toss Skyler across the room.
He lands on his paws, claws scraping across the hardwood for purchase. Enzo, now dripping blood from his chest, flits across the space. His movements are less graceful than Skyler’s.
Skyler cries out, and a cool sense of dread spreads across my chest. Enzo has bitten him and now he’s trying desperately to wrap his arms around Skyler’s neck. My blood stills, a new sensation washing over me. The fierce desire to protect.
Testing the ropes again, I grit against the pain and to my surprise, they give.
Maybe I can use my wolf’s strength after all.
Getting to a sitting position, I hold my hands in front of my face.
Angry red lines lick up my wrists, bleeding in some parts.
“Shit, Amethyst.” A sympathetic voice says behind me. “I’m so fucking sorry this happened.”
Sage moves to sit beside me, taking my hands in hers. “This will heal when you shift.” I don’t have the heart to tell her that her enthusiasm is misplaced. I’m not sure I’ll ever figure out the shift. Much less quickly enough to heal these wounds.
Instead I ask, “You’re okay, do bullets not harm you?” She pats her chest. “Bullet proof vest. Finally making itself useful.” She winks and a grin pulls at my lips. “I’m glad for it.” My head snaps back in the direction of the fight.
Skyler gets the upper hand. Bucking up on his hand legs and snaring Enzo between the wall and his shoulders with such force my canvas art falls with a thud. Without hesitation, Skyler twists, closing his jaws around Enzo’s arm. With a sickening crack, the limb breaks in half.
“I need to do something,” I tell Sage as I get to my feet.
I rush toward the kitchen with Sage on my heels.
The pain in my wrists and thigh forgotten.
I know exactly what I’m after. Nestled in the back of the silverware drawer is the jeweled dagger.
Years ago, I didn’t understand where she could’ve gotten a weapon like that.
Now, knowing she’s a witch, the pieces fall into place.
Prowling toward them with cool, calculated steps, a satisfied growl rumbles in my chest as Skyler pins Enzo to the floor.
His large brown paw is like a boulder, crushing and unforgiving.
More of that cracking sound floods my ears as he presses harder into Enzo’s chest. I reach Skyler’s tail and hesitate.
Suddenly feeling woefully unprepared for any kind of fight.
Enzo laughs maniacally. A very different reaction than I’d expected from someone on the brink of death.
“We could have shared her, wolf. You greedy bastard. I never needed her cunt, just her blood.” With no hesitation of his own, Skyler unleashes a roar.
His maw closes around Enzo’s neck, pulling until the head is severed.
It should terrify me — the violence, the gore. Instead, I regret that I wasn’t the one to do it.
Skyler turns to me. He plops down and places a massive paw on my shoulder, pulling me into him. I breathe in that whiskey scent and send a prayer to the Goddess, thanking her for his safety. Pulling back to inspect him a whine slips out as I see the blood dripping down his neck.
“My beautiful Sunlight, I will be all right.” His eyes are the same dreamy hazel, just brighter. I tear my gaze away, wearily glancing Enzo’s way. “ She doesn’t know how to use the mind link, genius.” Sage’s voice filters through my mind again. Skyler makes a distinctly human, humorous sound.
He shifts to his human form, and I greedily drink in the sight of him. Trailing my eyes down his body, I notice thankfully there is no longer any blood on him. His eyes hold mine and for a moment our surroundings fade away.
“For fuck’s sake, Sky!” Sage revolts. “You haven’t had someone spell your clothes not to rip yet?”
With a chuckle, he turns his back to us, taking a blanket from the couch and wrapping it around his hips. “Why would I pay to spell work uniforms? The more of those fucking things ripped to shreds the better.” We all soak in the comedic relief, melodic laughter filling the room.
“Is he... for good ?” I ask.
Skyler stands, shaking his head. “The vengeance is for you to take if you wish. His heart must be removed, or he will be able to rise again. The choice is yours, Amethyst.”
Staring at the dismembered body before me, I remember the threat I had leveled at Enzo. That I would be his death. Staying true to my word, I straighten my stance, gripping the dagger tighter.
Not allowing another moment to pass in which he might rise again; I kneel, scoring the dagger across the left side of his chest. Stunned and impressed at how easily the flesh tears.
“I promised I would bring his death,” I exhale a shaky breath, carving deeper.
Through the ribs Skyler had left cracked.
Morbid fascination snakes its way into my brain at the sight of the heart in my hand.
With one last slice, I free the organ from its shelter of broken bones.
Dropping it and my dagger to the ground instantly as the splitting pain returns to my skull.
My hands rush to cradle my head as I double over.
“Amethyst!” Skyler cries, swiftly pulling my head in his lap.
“His. Fucking. Glamour.” I force out through gritted teeth as I see the new version of my memories play in my mind.
After the third such vision I wish I could kill the son of a bitch again.
At the very least I wish it could have been more painful for him.
“His death would break all glamours he’d placed.” Sage confirms. “Oh, Sunlight...” Skyler squeezes my hand. As the pain subsides, I push myself up, giving my head a shake to clear it. I glance over my shoulder at Enzo’s broken body. “One moment, please.”
Scooting over to his head, I grip the dagger once more. Pulling his mouth open, I stare at those fangs, rage simmering beneath my skin. Red hot retribution fuels my next movements. I slice into his gums, ripping the fangs out and dropping them on the floor beside me.
Only when I feel satisfied with my work do I rise. “I hate those fucking things.” Skyler and Sage both eye me with pride. “Well. That’s an open shut case of self-defense if I’ve ever seen one.” Sage claps her hands together. “I’ll get this shit show cleaned up.”
“Thank you. Both of you. From the bottom of my heart.” I offer them a smile, moving to hug Skyler.
As my arm reaches out, I falter seeing the blood painting my skin.
“I could really use a shower,” I declare.
“Do you two mind?” Quirking a brow, as if wondering why I’d ask permission in my own house, Sage shakes her head. “Not at all.”
Skyler takes a step closer. “Mind if I come with?” His voice holds a tinge of desperation. I can’t imagine what he must have felt when he first arrived. “I would like that.” Tilting my head for him to follow, I head to my bedroom.