CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
– AZALEA –
My father is dead. Alora is dead. Annetta...she’s dead. They’re all dead.
Triton’s voice makes me turn my head his way when he says, “She was already dead, Lea. He must have killed her when he murdered the others. He must have somehow gained the witch’s power.
She might have given it to him freely when he took her soul and with it her life.
The hex bag and your sister’s appearance made it clear there was no consent with Annetta.
She didn’t have her power, and Drexel couldn’t control her either.
It was just the shell of her body that was left, Lea. ”
Overwhelming sadness and anger hit me hard, ripping a tormented scream through my mind as I softly whimper.
He’s right, there is no other explanation.
Which means Karev is in danger as Drexel is capable of stealing powers...
did he get my father’s, even if he didn’t have much left?
Alora’s? Fuck. Who knows what other supernatural he killed to get it.
I spin in the direction of where I saw both Drexel and Karev run off and start running. I can’t fly because the trees are blocking the view. Through the bond I can feel the location of my mate pulling me in his direction.
The growls and flames up ahead are a clear indication I’ve found them. In the clearing two hellhounds are circling one another, one bigger than the other. I can easily make out Karev who has three heads and looks much stronger than the one-headed hellhound.
The large wound on Drexel’s shoulder shows Karev must have ripped off the part that was regrown after Levan bit it off because it’s oozing black fluid.
Fear creeps into my veins when I remember Triton’s words.
If the witch freely gave her powers before Drexel took her soul, then the black blood indicates the deadly change in him.
Karev lunges for Drexel and I can hear the bones in Drexel’s leg snap. He’s pushed to the ground by Karev’s massive form. My mate is definitely winning this fight until his shoulder suddenly sags as if his strength falters.
This gives Drexel the chance to fight back. Through our bond I can feel Karev’s confusion and the panic setting in. I can’t simply step into the clearing because I don’t want to distract Karev.
On the other hand, the way Karev is looking?
He’s not going to last and the slight vibration surrounding him lets me know the need to shift is there.
Something that definitely cannot happen.
If Karev shifts to his human form, it will leave him vulnerable for Drexel to murder him.
Drexel is about to attack and it takes the decision right out of my hands.
Rushing forward, I step in front of my mate and make sure my fire is surrounding both of us when I snarl, “You killed my family.”
The hellhound grins and digs his nails into the dirt.
Behind me I hear a loud thump and deep down I know Karev just hit the ground.
I curl my fingers into fists and with everything I got I stay focused on the threat in front of me.
This man has taken many lives and I’m not going to let him kill me or Karev.
The only way this asshole has managed to get the upper hand on Karev is to fucking cheat. He stole a witch’s power. I’m going to completely ignore her giving her consent because sucking souls is freaking insane. He opens his mouth and I brace myself for the fire he’s about to spit in my direction.
I don’t feel a sliver of fear, instead there’s only anger. Knowing this idiot has tried to kill his twin sister inside the womb, and has been on a twisted power-hungry journey since sparks an idea inside my mind.
Drexel’s stream of flames hits me head-on, but I don’t feel a damn thing.
A grin slides across my face when I start to taunt the fucker.
“Is that all you got? Don’t you know a hellhound’s mate is immune to hellfire?
Well, maybe it’s a detail you’re not aware of due to your whole upbringing, or you’re way too obsessed with legends.
” I snort. “More like fairytales that won’t ever happen because this is real life, asshole.
A life where a leopard can’t change his spots.
So, you, lower-level hellhound won’t ever become the strong and ferocious alpha hellhound your half-brother is. ”
His eyes go over my shoulder to throw a glance at Karev.
I can feel the jealousy vibrating off him, feeding my power in return.
Each supernatural has their own power, but mine revolves around jealousy.
I can sense it from miles away, push the people who are consumed with it and boost my powers as I’m doing it.
The blur around Drexel’s head is the first indication, and within seconds the fucker is fully shifted into his human form. It gives me the chance to risk a glance behind me, and when I do? I wish I hadn’t. Karev is still in his hellhound form and lying on his side.
My anger skyrockets at the thought of losing my mate. The only one left I care about...the only one who ever cared about me.
“You’re going to die the same way as your sisters. The only difference between you and them is that you already have hellhound compatibility. Which means I finally get the heart of a fury, completing the legend.” Satisfaction drips from every word he just said.
There is no warning, no words wasted, or so much as a grain of sympathy for this asshole standing in front of me as I gather all the power within me and blast it outward, hitting him full force.