Queen of the Lycan, Karina Espinosa [accelerated reader books .TXT] 📗

kicked his leg out, hitting Fenrir in the abdomen hard enough to throw him back a few feet.

Alexander took the opportunity to pounce on him and throw punch after punch, seeking to maim rather than destroy, knowing nothing he could inflict would kill the wolf god. He wrapped his hands around Fenrir’s neck and tightened, growling furiously. I’d never seen Alexander so angry.

The events seemed to unfold in slow motion, but Shadow had not stopped moving since we arrived on the shore. The moment we were within range, I jumped off his back and moved to pull Alexander off Fenrir when a dagger plunged into the same shoulder where the arrow had been lodged earlier. I fell forward and dropped to a knee, then looked back to see Raven standing twenty feet away. She gave a nasty smirk, letting me know she was the one who attacked. I reached behind me and pulled out the dagger, feeling it slide through my muscles, ripping as it went.

“Fuck!” I shouted and tossed the dagger aside. “You fuckin’ crazy bitch!”

I stood up and turned to face the incoming onslaught of Raven. She raced at full speed, her wings bursting from her back mid-run and taking flight. As she flew over me, her booted foot kicked me in the face hard enough to hear the answering crack of cartilage and bone. I fell back with blood spurting out of my nose, but I didn’t let it stop me. Instead of cradling my obviously broken nose, I reached for her ankle and yanked her down with me, slamming her to the ground.

I dug my clawed hand into her wings, tearing through tendons and sensitive flesh. She shrieked in pain and arched her back as I reveled in the blood that poured down my hands.

“That’s what you get for breaking my nose, asshole.” I stumbled back to my feet and retrieved the dagger I’d pulled from my shoulder. I stalked back to her, breathing heavily. She was lying on her stomach, trying to fold her tattered wing and failing miserably. I pressed the tip of her dagger to her spine and dug in slightly. “I’m pretty sure you’re immortal, but I also think this could do some serious damage.” I pushed the tip deeper into her skin and she froze in place. “And with your own dagger, no less.”

“Your father won’t win against Fen,” she panted, looking meaningfully in the direction of their ongoing battle.

I followed her gaze and found Alexander on his knees with Fenrir’s claws at his neck. They were watching us with very different expressions. My father was wide-eyed and grim, while Fenrir appeared victorious, his chin raised. My eyes widened in shock.

Last I saw them, Alexander had the upper hand. How the hell …

“Let him go!” I yelled.

“Let her go first!” Fenrir shouted back.

“I don’t trust you! Release him and I’ll let her go,” I growled. “Now.”

Fenrir grinned and tilted his head. “How’d you find us, little wolf?”

I smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“As a matter of fact, I would like to know what brings the Lycan out to the fae realm entrance. How did you find out?”

“You’re not as skilled as you think you are, Fenrir,” I taunted. “Your mistake was coming to visit me in the castle. It exposed you.” I wasn’t necessarily lying. He just didn’t know his appearance triggered a vision that exposed him.

He frowned. “How?”

I shook my head. “Release him!”

“You first.”

I rolled my eyes. “On the count of three, and if you don’t, I’ll fucking torture her so bad she’ll wish she was dead, so make sure you’re honorable.” Maybe she couldn’t die, but I could make her hurt.

Fenrir’s jaw clenched and I knew I hit a nerve. “One,” he clipped out.

“Two,” I continued.

“Three!” we shouted in unison.

We released our captives at the same time; I sighed in relief when Alexander fell forward and quickly stood to put some distance between him and Fenrir.

Instead of giving her back her dagger, I slipped it in my boot. Then, because I was feeling petty, I kicked sand in her face. I turned my attention back to the wolf god. “Your fight is with me!” I yelled. “Tell your Valkyries to stand down.”

He glanced at Raven and nodded, giving her the directive. She let out a loud whistle and suddenly all the Valkyries stopped fighting and spread their wings, taking to the skies. I was pleased to see Raven stay grounded due to the damage I inflicted on her ruined wings.

“Happy?” Fenrir waved at the area. “Now let’s settle this, little wolf.”

“Let’s.”

I stalked toward him, wiping the blood from my nose with the sleeve of my sweater. When we finally came face to face, mere inches from one another, my heart raced with anticipation and nerves. I’d seen what he was capable of and knew I didn’t stand a chance. Especially in the condition I was in. I was barely running on fumes. The only thing that had kept me standing this far was the extra boost of Alpha strength. If not for that, I’d still be on the ground from Raven’s kick to the face.

“Are you afraid, little wolf?” Fenrir whispered. “I can hear your racing heart.”

“Nothing you say will intimidate me,” I muttered. “But if I’m going to die, at least tell me why. What’s the reason for why you’re willing to kill an innocent person?”

Fenrir laughed. “Innocent? You’re far from innocent.”

I clenched my teeth. “I’m innocent in this situation.”

He tapped his chin. “Better wording. But if you must know … there’s something worse than me out there. I don’t know what it wants, but no one is safe. I need to protect what’s mine. Since you won’t step down, I’m forced to take you out of the picture.”

“What is it?” I looked deep into the black pits of his eyes. “Why is it targeting us?”

Fenrir frowned. “You don’t have to worry about those details, and like I said, I don’t know why it’s interested in the Lycan,