Chapter 44
Leaf
The ocean answers my call. The creatures of the deep rally to me, led by Kit. He stays low to the bedrock, moving easily as we close in on our target.
I hear the shiver, aggressive hunters that this ocean has come to fear. They have been here so long that they are part of it now. Part of me. We are one now. Maybe made more so by our love of the omega.
I slam into Deux, throwing my massive weight at him, crushing him to the rock.
He cries out, teeth clashing as he tries to bite, but I ignore it, circling away. I watch him as Kit and Canto attack, opening up wounds that seep back into the water.
Lirin is there the moment the space clears, followed by Reed.
Ronit flashes, and swirling stalking lights dart in, and he slams a dagger into Deux’s gut with a sudden violence that sends a shockwave through the seabed.
The Nightmare roars, bubbles expelling out of his mouth in a torrent. He is dying. He just doesn’t know it yet.
He frees himself with a powerful twist and rushes right to where I don’t expect.
My mate.
My fury knows no bounds. I cut him off, baring my teeth. He edges backwards.
Finally fearing me as he should. My coils twist and glint in the almost non-existent light.
This thing thought he could trap me?
The Leviathan of the worlds? He thought he could kill me? Send my mates to harm me? I’ll rip him apart.
“No! This is not how I end!” Deux shouts, protests. His denial is so thick in the water that I actually start to chuckle.
He starts trying to sketch out a rune, but Mei is quicker, moving those long, elegant fingers in a delicate movement that traces a rune into the ocean. Heavy black chains wrap around Deux and drag him down.
He struggles, but he can’t get free.
Mei stares at him.
“This is the end for you, Deux. No longer will you hunt the innocent.”
She swims forward so she’s level with my head and puts a hand on me.
A gift I never dreamed I would have and the reason I kept fighting. I refused to give in because I knew she would come for us.
She is my mate…how could she do anything else?
Deux’s black eyes widen, and for the first time, I see fear in him. True terror. He knows his end is nigh.