Chapter 31
Concentrating only on the simple act of breathing, Sam felt herself slowly coming back to herself. Her eyes took in the room at a glance, and she wasn’t surprised at all to find Skin Walkers now fighting alongside the Keepers and their Soul Sentries. Fear was swift when she realized that half the room wouldn’t know that she’d been working with Monroe. All they knew for certain was that she was Odium’s sister. Even if she survived her brother, she certainly couldn’t survive the Walkers.
Wiggling her fingers to get her circulation going, she struggled to move her head, searching for Bellis. In front of her, Fatal fought with a Megalya, while behind him she watched as Commander Conn Drago pulled his Angel, Aries, up from the ground and studied her before turning to attack the Megalya who’d jumped her from behind.
The battle wouldn’t last; it couldn’t. The numbers were about even, but with the Keeper’s Soul Sentries, and the Skin Walkers shifting, the carnage was escalating, and not in Megalya favor. They were dropping like flies and Sam was glad for it.
Scanning the room, she struggled to her knees as her strength slowly came back. She eyed her belly and moaned at the intense pain still throbbing there. Although the psyblade had been removed, the anguish of the assault was still strong. In fact, if she hadn’t confirmed it for herself, she’d have thought the blade was still lodged in her.
A shout drew her attention, and through the thick of the fight, she saw Bellis battling Odium. Bellis’ shoulder was bleeding, and blood dripped from Odium’s sharp teeth. She knew her brother had bitten Bellis, because without his psyblade he had no other weapons aside from his jagged teeth, sharp claws, and brute strength.
Odium twisted his fist in Bellis long hair, and as he jerked to pull Bellis in, Bellis reached out with clawed hands and sliced through his hair, cutting the black satiny length to free himself. It was startling, causing Sam to cry out.
Sam’s gaze jerked around the room searching for Bronx, and her heart gave a relieved thump when she saw him holding one of the Megalya guards to the ground, vicious jaws clamped around the monster’s throat.
Sam struggled to get to her feet, but was knocked to the ground when someone backed into her. She hit the ground hard and could only grunt at the jarring impact. Cursing her weakness, she fought to get to her knees a second time, but just as quickly as the small amount of strength had returned to her, it was just as quickly beginning to wane.
Tears of frustration blurred her vision and she sucked them back. Bellis needed her, and she was too weak! Her fingers brushed something on the floor, and she blinked back tears long enough to turn and focus on Odium’s psyblade. Even as her fingers curled around it, her head snapped up, eyes locking on her brother.
Once again, his teeth were locked on Bellis, and she could hear Bronx whine, knowing the beast wanted to aid the Walker but couldn’t. Keo called out from where he was battling, but he couldn’t get to Bellis either. She could.
Sam struggled to her feet and swayed. She took a step, locking her knees when she nearly buckled. Pain exploded through her body as something hard slammed into her back, and she flew forward before hitting the hard ground and sliding several feet. Too weak to even turn to see what or who had attacked her, she shook her head to clear it of the fuzziness, relieved to see the psyblade still gripped in her hand. Lifting her head, she scanned the room, searching for Bellis. He was close. Sam prayed for strength as she struggled to her feet once more.
Odium’s broad back blocked her view of Bellis as she approached. The monster was actually laughing with his teeth locked in her Walker. My Walker! She staggered at the thought, but there was no time to think about what she felt for Bellis or what that said about her considering his recent betrayal.
Sam lifted the psyblade with shaking hands. She hoped her brother had a heart, as she gauged where it should be, then plunged the blade into his back with all her weight. The Megalya arched, tossed his head back from the pain, and spun on her. Odium lunged, mouth open wide, teeth tearing into her throat as they both crashed to the ground. She heard Bellis roar before something warm splashed across her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if it was her own blood or Odium’s. Body still too numb from the psyblade, she felt a ripping sensation and gasped. Odium was ripped from her, but this was it. She wouldn’t get to tell Bellis what he’d meant to her, but at least she’d saved him from Odium.
Head falling to the side, her vision began to darken as she took in the sight of the Megalya being defeated. She’d done it! She’d helped the Skin Walkers into the Hive, and they were killing the Megalya monsters. She could die happy, but… She tried to turn her head to look for Bellis, but her body wasn’t working now, and when she blinked her eyes opened only a fraction. Her one regret would be Bellis. Bellis! He was her last thought before the darkness claimed her.
***
Bellis held Odium’s head as Bronx paced back and forth, growling in front of the body that was no longer attached. Bellis dropped his trophy and rushed to Sam when he saw a fellow Walker turn with a snarl and eye her crumpled body.
“NO!” Sam was in his arms in an instant, and relief flooded him when he saw her chest move with her breathing, but only barely. Bronx wasn’t so easily convinced. The cheetah whined and nudged Sam’s shoulder, turning to butt her with his head, needing a reaction from her.
“She lives,” Bellis soothed both himself and Keo’s Soul Sentry as he stood with her.
The battle was done. Skin Walkers, Keepers, and Soul Sentries were all that remained…and Sam. His…Megalya?
Ignoring his own wounds, Bellis got to his feet and rushed toward the door. He needed to find Jenny.
Suddenly, his path was blocked. His head snapped up to meet the enraged eyes of Fatal.
“Where do you think you’re taking my prisoner?” the ruling Keeper snarled. He was covered in blood, and looked terrifying, but Bellis wasn’t backing down. Sam was wounded and needed help.
He snarled viciously, “Move motherfucker!”
Fatal argued, “She’s an enemy!”
“She killed Odium.”
“You killed Odium!”
“A feat that would not have been accomplished without her aid.”
Fatal’s teeth gnashed together. “Put. Her. In. A. Cell!” He angled his head. “Or let her die.”
Just the suggestion had Bellis’ animals surging to the fore. “She’s not dying,” he gritted out, stepping forward in challenge even as Fatal mirrored him. Now move or die!”
Keo and Bronx immediately stepped forward. “I’ll ensure she’s shackled,” Keo offered quickly, “She won’t get away. Not this time.”
Fatal’s curled-back lip twitched as he eyed Bellis, but he tore his gaze from the Walker to eye his Keeper. “Make sure of it.” Then he turned back to the carnage, leaving Bellis to take Sam to help.
Bellis stalked to the door with Bronx and Keo on his heels. The beast hissed at Fatal disapprovingly as he passed. Bellis didn’t falter. Sam needed medical attention and he was going to take care of her before anything else.
In the tunnel Keo spoke quietly from behind him. “Transport is waiting outside. Jenny is at the North Fortress. Your Ruler knew it was closer to the Hive. They are waiting for any casualties.”
It was all Bellis needed to know. He was grateful that Keo was helping and simultaneously pissed. The Keeper had burst into the Hive demanding Sam, but why? Did he feel he had a claim to her? If so, he was sorely fucking mistaken.