Flint cracked his neck, turning the blade in his right hand over and over and keeping the other two in his left, holding them loosely and ready for easy transfer once he’d released the primary one. Whenever the silver touched his skin sharp stings kept him alert assuring him they would inflict the damage they were meant for.

He was adept with both hands so once he’d thrown one he could quickly hurl the other two in quick succession. Hopefully with all three hitting their mark within seconds and putting down, or at the very least, slowing down greatly one beast. After that he’d concentrate on the other, using his faster speed to close in on it, and at the same time pitching the rest of his weapons on the run. By the time he reached the Wolf, it should be injured and in a weakened state, enough for him to be able to take it down without too much effort.

Or that was the plan.

After he’d dealt with that one. He could return to the first and finish it off. Then he could get Kenzie and get the hell out of there and take her to safety as quickly as possible. That was all he cared about; getting Kenzie the hell out of there.

A low growl from his left alerted him to the presence of the enemy and true enough, with a rustle of branches, a huge beast revealed itself. Dark as night, a black Wolf emerged from the trees, its head hung low as it prowled closer with its eyes locked on him and drool dropping from its open jaws. Jaws that revealed a mouth full of huge sharp teeth made for ripping apart its victims. Only he was no damn victim.

He was a killer, and that fucker would find that out soon enough.

With another snarl immediately in front of him, Flint’s head snapped forward and caught sight of another Wolf. This one was larger, dark brown, and definitely the more dangerous of the two. Its head was higher, proud, and its lips drew back in a vicious growl as it stalked forwards. He saw it moving slightly to catch a glimpse of Kenzie, then back to him. Hell no. It wasn’t getting anywhere near her. Not a fucking chance in hell.

“Hey, you mangy mutt! You look like you’ve got fleas! You should go to the vet and get something for that…must be real uncomfortable for you with all the itching ‘n all.”

Its head swung back to him, snarling and snapping. Good. That’s what he wanted. All attention on him and he just needed it to get a little closer to get it within throwing distance. Or rather, a better throwing distance. He wanted to ensure the silver blades hit the mark before he took off after the black one which was farther away and then he could return and finish this fucker off. He wished it was the other way around. This one was larger, deadlier, and nearer his love…but he had to work with the hand he’d been dealt. And he’d been in tighter corners than this and lived.

Only difference was those times…it was his life on the line…this time he had Kenzie to worry about and that was a whole different ball game.

His vision zeroed in on the damnable creature who dared to threaten her. Threaten them. Threaten their life together, their future, their fucking love. He saw the hatred in its eyes, heard its heart beat in its chest, watched as its paws hit the ground and drew it nearer to his killing zone. One, two, three…just a few more and he’d unleash his knives. Unleash the silver that would weaken it and put it down. Just long enough for him to deal with the other. Hopefully.

There! Flint’s hand rose, flew through the air, and one blade was on its way. Transferring another to his right hand and both hands rose together to release two blades simultaneously. They hurled toward the beast as the first blade struck. A howl sprang free from it as the silver sank deep into it just a second before the other two collided with its hide. One crashed into its side and the other smashed right beside the first on the Wolf’s neck, embedding deep within its skin. Howls of pain and anger flew out from it before it collapsed to the ground, mewling like a damn kitten.

Flint didn’t blink, turning and sprinting for the other who was now rushing toward him at full speed. His hands were already reaching for his smaller throwing knives that were along the back of his belt, tugging them free and throwing them as he ran…all four hit home and the Wolf howled each time. Then he reached down, first with his right hand and then with his left and retrieved his Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives from his boots. Two double edged, seven and a half inch weapons in his hands, and he was careening toward the Wolf at breakneck speed.

He knew what he wanted to do. Where he planned on striking with his blades. He just needed the fucking animal to keep on coming straight for him…that was all.

And it did. Dumb damn dog.

It ran right for him. Snarling, snapping, jaws readying to take a chunk out of him and if he were human it would break him in two. But he wasn’t.

Closer and closer they drew to each other. He saw the hairs on its coat flattened against the body with the speed it ran toward him. The fangs in its mouth as it readied to sink into his flesh. The fury in its eyes because he’d injured its partner in crime. Flint took it all in and when they were mere inches apart, when the beast was almost upon him, he leaped into the air, tucked his feet up beneath him and sailed over it…reaching down and slashing, cutting, and wreaking bloody havoc with his best friends; his blades.

Long wounds appeared on the body of the Wolf beneath him while he flew over it as his hands moved frantically with a speed only a Vampire could wield. Many large, ugly, bloody and deep injuries, including one where he severed the tendons on its hind legs which left it falling head over ass in a tumbled mess on the ground as it roared in agony. Flint landed deftly on his feet, spinning around and sprinting back to the downed beast. He didn’t falter, didn’t hesitate, instead he reached down to slash its throat in a final death blow before rising to look back to ensure Kenzie was still safe.

That was when his heart stopped dead in his chest.

Kenzie was still at the water’s edge, but she was by far no longer safe. The beast he’d put down with his silver daggers was up and heading her way…but she wasn’t aware of it. Her eyes were on him.

“Kenzie! Baby! Get in the water! Go! Now!” Flint roared at the same time as his feet started to move, taking off back the way he’d just come, this time he ran as if his life depended on it…and it did.

If anything happened to her he knew he’d die too. He’d wither up and cease to exist if that fucker took her from him. He had to get to her. Had to kill him. He. Just. Had. To.

She waved at him. Waved! Hell. She couldn’t hear him. He was too far away. He sped up, his legs moving so fast that he was sure he had never run like this in his life before. Fear lapping inside him like never before. Yelling his warning over and over until finally she turned and saw the beast. But it was almost upon her. Within striking distance…and strike it did.

Its massive paw flew out, claws extended and, and, and…Flint watched in horror as Kenzie screamed, her body flying back into the water, blood soaring into the air as those deadly talons connected with her body. A bellow of pure rage erupted from him as he sped even faster forward. Shouts from behind him echoing inside his brain but he couldn’t make sense of anything other than reaching the most precious person in the universe who was now floating away from him.

He didn’t feel the pain when the Wolf’s jaws snapped at his leg. Or when its claws raked across his back over and over while he fought to get into the water. He didn’t care about the dirty fucking animal. He only stopped long enough to turn and stab his blades into its eye sockets…deep inside, so far that he knew the long steel penetrated the brain and it finally dropped dead. Flint released his precious blades, turned and dived into the freezing dark depths of the water and struck out for the body that was floating farther and farther away…his precious Kenzie. She wasn’t moving, wasn’t swimming. She was dead in the water.

Holy fuck. No. This couldn’t be happening. His brain couldn’t comprehend the sight before him as he swam with all his might toward the one thing in the world that he lived for. The one person that made living worthwhile. The one light in his darkness; his Bloodmate.

“Flint! Flint!”

He heard his name being called but he didn’t stop. Didn’t waver from his course even when he felt his arms drag. When his legs faltered and felt like lead weights…dragging him in the water and trying to wrench him down into the depths. When they stopped working he carried on, using his arms to pull him on and on. He had to reach her. Had to save her. He…had…to.

“Kenzie…I’m…coming.”

His eyes blurred, growing darker, darker…Kenzie’s body disappeared from view and finally his eyes closed and he fell beneath the waves. He’d failed.

His heart broke into a million shards. Piercing his entire being at the thought of failing to protect his love. Of not being able to save her. Of not being there to…he gave up. This was as it should be. He couldn’t go on without her. He couldn’t carry on without seeing her smile. The twinkle in her gorgeous emerald eyes. The sun glint off her red highlights. Hear the tinkle in her laughter…he just couldn’t.

Flint relaxed, allowing his body to sink down, down, down into the murky depths and hoped the end would come soon. Praying that he’d meet his beauty on the other side. Surely the Goddess that she loved so much would grant them that. Wouldn’t she? And in moments the darkness came…peace overtook him, and he welcomed it. He took it in and allowed it to wrap around him like Kenzie’s arms and smiled as it did so.