“The fact you think there is an option is problematic.” She rubbed her hands together and methodically stepped in my direction. She smirked like she was enjoying the confrontation. “We don’t need people from this horrible realm getting any ideas.”
Donovan stood in front of me, blocking me from the fae’s line of sight. “What kind of ideas are you so afraid of?”
“That you’ll create a hybrid and try to live in our realm.” The girl shook her head, her hair bouncing from side to side. “That won’t happen. We won’t allow it. That’s why our bloodlines must stay pure. It’s bad enough the dragons were tied to our land. Why do you think they’re all here now?”
“You aren’t getting her.” Donovan stuck out his chest and stared the girl down. “Back off.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She chuckled evilly. “Do you all feel the same way?” She scanned the group for someone who might stand down.
“Yes.” Lillith spread her legs apart, facing down the evil bitch. “We’re family, and we all stand together.”
I’d hoped they would back down, but I didn’t think the fae would give them an out anyway. Still, it didn’t hurt to try. Roxy and Axel, go back home. Maybe I could, at least, protect two people.
You better be kidding me. Roxy linked back, rage evident in each word. I would never leave you like that. “We’re all sticking with her,” she told the fae, emphasizing the thought to me.
The other vampires nodded their heads as well.
“So be it.” She lifted her fingers to her mouth and whistled loudly. “Prepare to die.”
Twenty fae appeared from the surrounding trees. I hadn’t been able to sense them at all. They greatly outnumbered our group of twelve, and they were already more powerful.
She lifted her hand, pointed at me, and said, “This time, you won’t get out alive.”
A fae on my left lifted his hand, aiming a blast of magic at me. I locked my eyes on the beam and tried to let my natural instincts take over. I ducked at the last second, and the magic slammed into the tree, cutting it in two.
The tree toppled over, away from our group.
Loud, rapid footsteps came from the location of Titan’s pack. Thank God, they were almost here. It sounded like all their fighters were heading our way. My only concern was whether we could last until they got to us.
The fae attacked everyone in our party. We dodged the magic. I hoped our stamina could keep us safe.
The dark purple warrior fae headed straight at me. “This has gone on long enough.” She lifted her hands, palms facing me. Dark purple magic shot for my chest.
I threw my hand up, blocking my body from the blast. I pictured the blast slowing down like the bullet the vampire had shot at me. I wasn’t sure what I’d done then, but I was desperate. I concentrated ahead of me, into the purple line. When it didn’t work, I closed my eyes, waiting for the blast, but nothing hit me.
“How is that possible?” the purple fae gasped. “That can’t be …”
I slowly opened my eyes and saw the magic dissolve and disappear.
She said louder, “You can’t be stronger than me! You’re a mutt.” She lifted her hands, and magic blasted from her palms.
There was no way I could stop that. It was coming way too fast. I dropped and rolled out of the way. I took a second to survey our group. The fae were taking it easier on them, almost like they were distracting them so the purple fae could end me.
If it kept them safe, I was all for it.
The other shifters arrived and ran into the small area where we fought. Torak ran straight to Donovan and the other shifters, giving them iron as five other shifters made their way to the vampires. Unlike what we’d hoped, we didn’t have any shields. There hadn’t been enough time. So, they all swung long, round pipes like baseball bats.
The iron was absorbing the magic, so it was working. I’d been afraid it wouldn’t work on full-blooded fae.
“This is ridiculous.” The dark-purple-haired lady charged me, not bothering to keep her distance any longer. “If you want something done right—”
I pivoted to turn past her, but her hand clamped down on my arm.
Her eyes widened with delight. “There’s no getting away.”
Her power poured into me, filling me with so much static electricity it was damn overwhelming. I tried jerking away, but I’d already grown weak, and she was too strong.
This was it. This was how I died.
Chapter Eighteen
“No!” Winter yelled as something slammed into the purple fae, breaking her grasp on my arm.
I opened my eyes to find Winter on top of the fae, using the iron bar to choke her.
“Mom,” I gasped as I stood on my shaky legs.
“What?” Her voice shook as her attention went from the fae to me. “What did you just call me?”
That was all the fae needed to shove Winter off. She fell hard on the ground, losing her grip on the iron.
The fae lifted her hands and sneered at my mother. She said through clenched teeth, “You’re the one who created this vile creature. Who is her father?” Purple magic trickled from her palm, proving that the iron had removed a lot of her strength.
“Like I’d ever tell you,” Mom spat and rolled onto her knees, going for the iron.
“Not happening.” The fae kicked her in the stomach. Her arms gave out, and her body hit the ground again.
This was my chance. I rushed forward and jumped on the fae bitch’s back. I wrapped my arms around her neck and tightened.
She gagged before placing her hands back on my arm. Faint static electricity churned under my skin. The fae was still drained. It didn’t feel great, but it was tolerable. I only wished I knew how to return the favor, but that part of me remained a huge mystery.
The fae ducked forward, and I flew over her head. I landed hard on my back with a loud thud. They were stronger and sturdier than I’d given them credit for.
Mom stood and ran over, picking up the iron bar.
“Oh no you don’t,” the fae rasped and ran toward her.
Before she could get too far, I grabbed her foot and yanked her backward. Her body hit the ground next to me.
Wings flapping overhead caught my attention, and Egan headed toward us, ready to land. Flames flickered from his mouth, and his golden eyes took in the chaos.
“We need to retreat,” the fae yelled as she stood.
I looked over my shoulder to find we had the clear advantage. Donovan swung a metal pole at a fae and ran straight toward me.
The few fae who were still fighting had lost most of their power.
“Now!” the purple-haired one screamed again. “Before we can’t transport.”
Right as Mom swung the pole at the purple fae, she disappeared. Mom wound up striking air.
Donovan wrapped his arms around me and asked, “Are you okay?”
I looked over his shoulder. The other fae vanished one by one right before Egan touched down. Finally, my world stilled from their influence. The only thing out of sorts was the uncomfortable foreign magic the purple fae had pushed into me. But if that was the worst thing that came from the battle, I’d take it.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I hugged him back. “But this isn’t over. They’ll be back again.” They’d keep coming until I was dead.
Titan held his piece of iron like a sword. “Are we sure they’re all gone?”
“Yes.” I hated to leave Donovan’s embrace, but we needed to get back to the house and figure out our next steps. I refused to wait for the next attack. It was time to be proactive. “I don’t feel their presence.”
“Are you sure you’re fine?” Mom rushed over to me and touched my shoulder. “I saw how much magic she attacked you with.”
“What?” Donovan growled. “You got hurt.”
I glared at Mom, the traitor. “Yes, but Mom saved me, and I’m already feeling much better.”
“God, I never thought I’d hear that.” Mom placed a hand on her heart. “It sounds so much better than I thought it would.”
Egan grunted and flapped his wings. He jerked his head toward the vampires’ mansion.
He wanted to go shift back into his human form. Seeing as he couldn’t communicate with us, I didn’t blame him. “Sure, we’ll be back there in a second.”