Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

ORION

A s James attacked Miko, his replicas jumping to his aid, I fended off Cate and Paige. Which wasn't easy. After all, they still threw mighty punches.

Cate jabbed me in the stomach, winding me. I bent over, receiving a kick to the face, sending me onto my back.

My nose gushed blood, pain exploding in my temple as well as my face.

The pink smoke parted hesitantly around me. I guess that was one triumph. Everything else tumbled into the hells, three Mikos down, the fob on the floor somewhere.

"Stay back!" Dawn boomed. "Leave the fae to me. Tear your alpha apart."

Crap.

I stained my fingers with the blood from my nose, flinging it at Paige. She stumbled. I pulled the bandage from my hand and opened my wound, ignoring the burn of pain, and threw blood at Cate. She faltered, bumping into her husband as Miko shoved him back.

"Cherry fae!" Dawn howled, shockwaves under my feet.

I spun, ready to fling more blood. I had enough in me to ruin its day.

Dawn took the shape of my mama, then my papa, flitting between the two.

"Oh my stars…" I rasped.

I heard grunts behind me, Miko yelling at his pack, his fists flying. But I couldn't do anything to help, too transfixed by the pink body with its arms outstretched.

"See me, do you? I see you. I see into you beyond the bitterness of your blood."

"Stop using their faces," I countered weakly.

"Would you like to see them again? You can. I will kill you all, give you those precious stars you thank so often." Mama smiled. "I have heard your feeble prayers. Make them real. Go to peace." Papa smiled next.

The ground shook, cracking beneath me. It juddered me out of my stupor. "No thanks. How about some blood?"

Mama snarled, stamping her feet. "How about you fall?"

I went to rush the assbug. But the ground gave way, pink smoke spraying me in the face as I fell.