Chapter 30

ANA

Ana plummeted, a whirlwind of terror, grief, and raw resolve twisting in her gut. Wind howled, tearing at her eyes as Quinn's limp form spiraled toward the jagged rocks. Fear threatened to paralyze her. Memories flickered—laughter shared, intimate embraces, battles fought together. They wouldn't end here.

With a desperate lunge, she reached for him, the world a blur of frantic motion. Yet, her fingertips grazed only empty air. Panic clawed at her throat, but she refused to surrender.

"Wake up, damn you," she screamed, her voice a thread against the roar of the wind. Again, she lunged, fingers stretched taut with desperation. This time, her grip found purchase on his arm. Every fiber of her being strained to defy gravity's relentless pull, but it wasn't enough. The weight dragged him down, slipping from her grasp with a sickening finality.

Muscles screaming, she reached one last time, catching him a heartbeat before impact. Triumph washed over her, warm and exhilarating. She cradled him close, the steady rise and fall of his chest a beacon of hope fighting the encroaching darkness. Unconscious, but alive.

The gargoyles needed their leader. If they saw him fall, their fighting spirit would crumble like dust. Without Quinn, surrender loomed large. The entire battle hinged on getting him back.

Adrenaline seared in her veins as she ascended, the world shrinking with each powerful stroke of her wings. Lungs burned, gasping for air thick with the scent of pine and fear. Though her body protested, crying for rest, she pushed on, driven by the need to reach the mountaintop.

Crashing onto solid ground, she cushioned Quinn, ignoring the throbbing pain and exhaustion. "Wake up," she pleaded, her lips brushing his in a desperate attempt to spark a response. He remained still.

Dread rose, icy fingers squeezing her heart. She needed to check for injuries, but a harsh grip clamped on her arm, slamming her against the cold earth.

"I stood by while your father ruined our kingdom," Dygo spat, his words dripping with contempt. With a heartless kick, he struck Quinn's defenseless body; the thudding pierced her chest. "The fool made one mistake after another, consumed by grief for his mate." He clenched his fist. "We all grieved, yet he halted the search for females, allowing more gargoyles to join Gregor's side." The vein in his forehead pulsed. "Hamil ignored my counsel, and Gregor proved himself to be nothing better." He unsheathed his sword with a metallic sound.

Dygo's voice dripped with venomous hatred as he launched into a tirade. Speaking of betrayal, of wasted potential, his every word a cut. Yet Ana barely listened. Her gaze darted around for anything to counter his blade.

"Pathetic," he sneered at Quinn, kneeling closer. "And you… You stood by as your father destroyed us." He rose. "Gargoyles deserve more," he bellowed. "No more hiding on this mountain! The gnomes are nothing but servants!" His weapon flashed in the light. "I shall claim this kingdom and everything you hold dear." A smirk twisted his lips as he looked toward Ana. He turned back, raising his sword over Quinn. "The reign of weakness ends now."

Before he could react, Ana struck. A swift sidekick sent him reeling, and she spoke, her voice laced with steel, "No. You. Will. Not."

"Foolish child." Dygo laughed. "Do you really believe you can defeat me?" He strutted closer and sneered. "I shall not kill you." Studying her like a hawk, he circled her. "I still have much of you to enjoy." His smile held a sadistic cruelty, his eyes narrowing with a sickening desire. "I shall rip every memory of him…" He pointed his sword tip toward Quinn, then turned back to her. "…from your loins." He licked his lips. "Mount you until his scent is a forgotten dream." His eyes narrowed.

His words and demeanor sent shivers down her spine, but her jaw clenched tight. This wouldn't be her end. This wouldn't be Quinn's end. She pulled out her knife from her anklet.

Dygo lunged, a cruel smile twisting his face. "First, some fun," he sneered, switching his sharp edge for a flat-edged blow that rippled a jolt through her hip. "Do you enjoy spankings?" He lifted his blade and turned the glistening metal in his hands as he stared at it. "Myself, I enjoy inflicting a bit of pain before taking my female. It makes her writhe, giving me intense pleasure." He rubbed a hand along his groin. "Just the thought of hearing you cry out is making me harden."

"You're a monster, Dildo." Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her grip on the knife.

"Monster, king… titles matter little. Soon, you'll submit and appreciate my touch." His voice dripped with sadistic glee. "You shall learn to cherish the attention I bestow upon you when I seclude you from all others."

He struck again, and she dodged yet another swat, her weapon useless against his reach. "Do you ever think I'd allow you to mount me?" She sneered. "I'll kill myself first." She placed the blade on her neck.

"You wouldn't…" Dygo's eyes widened.

"You think not?" She pressed the edge, feeling the sharp sting. Warmth trickled down her neck as she inched further away from him.

His tail lashed out, coiling around her ankle, and yanking her to the ground. The knife skittered away. He pounced, and she used his weight to throw him over her. Scrambling to her feet, she saw a metallic glint in the dirt.

"You need some taming," Dygo chuckled, wings beating as he landed. A brutal kick sent a fresh wave of pain through her, but she ignored it, eyes locked on him. "Gregor's dead, and soon, so shall Quinn be. There's nothing left to stop me from claiming you, pet."

Ana rolled to the weapon. "Try it," she snarled, raising her ankle blade in a defiant stance.

"Oh, you're so much more enjoyable than I ever dared hope for." He laughed. "If you yield to me, maybe I shall let you enjoy our mating." He shrugged. "That is, if you please me."

"As I said before, Dildo." She kept her voice flat, in control. "I'd rather kill myself than let you touch me."

He lunged, his sword aimed at her legs. This time, she anticipated and dodged it. They circled each other, the air thick with tension. He attacked again, but she rolled, snatching her knife just as she tumbled past.

"Such spirit! But futile," he roared, slashing his blade across her arm. Pain flared, but adrenaline kept her moving. "My pet," he taunted, circling, "enjoy your last moments."

"Just shut up," Ana yelled, lunging forward with a spinning kick that grazed his head. Exhaustion gnawed at her, but hope flickered as she spotted a glinting sword near Quinn's unconscious form.

"So be it." He spun with his weapon raised, but instead, he kicked her in the stomach, sending her tumbling.

Gasping for air, she took a second before struggling to her feet. Then, she returned her blade to her cuff.

"Ah, finally, you see, you can't win."

She looked up and smiled before diving toward the sword. Grabbing the hilt, a surge of renewed strength filled her, its solid weight a promise of defense.

"You can have it." Dygo waved his hand dismissively. "It shall not help you."

"Quinn will always be better than you," she couldn't stop herself from taunting him. Laughing, she shot him a triumphant smile. "You are the fool. Quinn will be the great king, one you could never be."

Dygo stepped forward, slapping away another of her strikes. "Enough games." His piercing gaze now promised pain and misery.

Before she realized it, he was upon her, his figure looming over her and swinging his sword down on her head.

Ana stood, raising the weapon, meeting his downward swing head-on. The clash sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held firm.

He roared. Ana gagged at the stale, fishy smell of his breath. He snapped his venomous teeth dangerously close to her neck, forcing her to jerk her head away. Her heart pounded.

Using the momentum, she pushed his blade aside, creating a fleeting opening. A desperate lunge and the tip sank into Dygo's abdomen. His eyes widened in surprise, a strangled gasp escaping his lips as he collapsed to his knees.

Behind him, an oalnt pawed the ground, ears pinned and head lowered. It let out a piercing bleat before leaping away. Relief and horror flooded Ana as Dygo crumpled to the earth, blood staining the grass crimson. Her hands shook, the metallic tang heavy in the air as she pulled her blade free with a sickening sucking noise.

Torn between solace at eliminating the threat and revulsion at taking a life, she stumbled away, trying in vain to block out the gurgling rattle of Dygo's labored breathing. She blinked back tears, her mind reeling.

Then, a new sound cut through the chaos — the distinctive whisper of an arrow nocking on a ready bowstring. In the same instant, Ana spotted the source: the archer who had felled Guignol, now aiming squarely at her chest. With a sinister smile, he lowered the point to her leg.

There was no time to think or evade. She could only brace herself, steeling for the impact. Yet the expected bite never came.

A feathered shape hurtled past, letting out a cry of fury. The archer's eyes went wide just before talons seized him, razor claws shredding his face in a gruesome spray of crimson. Fern let out another screech, flying away and leaving the mangled gargoyle gripping his head.

"Quinn!" Ana rushed to his side, falling to her knees beside him. She caressed his still face, tears streaking her cheeks as the battle raged on around them. "Wake up," she begged, pressing her lips to his in a desperate plea. "I need you… I can't do this without you."

She trembled as she whispered his name again and again, warm wetness continuing to stream down her face. With each tender brush of her mouth against his, she beseeched him to awaken, to open his eyes and be by her side once more. The sun's bright rays seemed to mock her, casting his face in an ethereal glow.

"Stay with me, my love," Ana breathed, hardly daring to believe. She cradled his head, rocking him gently. "Don't leave me…"