Till Abandon by Avril Ashton Page B

shrugged. “I thought you messing around with those two meant you were opening up to other possibilities, until you said you were going away ‘indefinitely'.” Air-quotes on ‘indefinitely'. “No explanations, nothing. All I knew was you were leaving me behind and I wasn't about to let that happen."
    But all this is for...what? She couldn't get his big picture. What's your end-game in this, Ken?
    Laughter bubbled past his lips. Chills danced along her spine at the sound. The son of a bitch really had lost his motherfucking mind. She'd be damned if he'd take Blake away from her. Not happening.
    "The shifter will die, Voltaire. Simple as that.” All evidence of mirth disappeared from his face. “You and me...can you imagine us together? The power we'd command, the havoc we could visit on the Council? The entire Para world?” He opened his arms and span in a circle. “We will combine our gifts, becoming even more powerful."
    Damn man was completely nuts. Voltaire kept her eyes on him and reached for Blake's wolf. The human might be MIA, but something told her the wolf was another matter. She conjured the wolf's image in her mind's eye—the huge, powerful animal, its grey coat, green eyes glowing and spittle dripping from its jaws.
    Deep inside her man, the wolf roused and stretched when it felt her presence. She murmured reassurance, stroking its back, sinking phantom fingers into its thick fur. Through their bond, she fed the wolf images, allowed it to see the situation and waited until she knew it understood.
    As she petted the wolf, Voltaire spoke to Ken.
    That's not going to happen, Ken.
    He paused, murder blazing in his crazy-ass gaze. “What the fuck did you say?"
    He lunged at her, a clammy hand gripping her neck. “It's not up to you, Death Bringer. I decide what happens from here on, and I say yes to the power.” His heavy breath puffed out at her, spit flying everywhere. “I say yes to it all, Voltaire,” he whispered. “I suggest you get on board willingly, or I will drag you on."
    Those cold fingers pinched her skin, but Voltaire didn't even wince. Inside Blake, the wolf roared its displeasure and clawed at her psychic hold, fighting to get out.
    She tightened her hold on the wolf, promising, Soon, soon, while meeting Ken's gaze. Not going to happen, Ken. Please, don't make me kill you.
    He laughed in her face. “Kill me? I'd like to see you try. I've frozen your gifts, I'm in control of the shifter and inside your mind, Voltaire.” A wide grin spread like butter across his face. “I know what you're thinking—I see your every move before you make it."
    Voltaire smiled, baring her teeth. “Do you, now?"
    At the sound of her scratchy voice, his eyes widened, and he reared back but kept hold of her neck.
    "How did your jaw heal so fast?” He flicked his eyes over her face and she felt his probe of her mind. Voltaire allowed it and she knew the instant he bumped into that little road block, the ball of energy hopping along for a ride in her brain.
    "What the hell is that?” His face paled, his hold on her slackened.
    "That, right there, is what makes me, me."
    Voltaire jerked away from him and threw her hands up. Right before Ken flew backwards, he lashed out with his dark magic and she felt it slice though her middle. A fierce burning consumed her body. She toppled over, breath leaving her on a sob.
    The wolf reared up and she released her hold on the animal. In a blink, the wolf was unleashed, replacing Blake's naked human form with its powerful frame. Yards away, Ken struggled to his feet and the wolf pounced, going straight for the throat. Ken would've screamed, she knew, but all the crazed man managed was a gurgle as the wolf tore his throat from his body. Blood poured and she watched as the wolf's killer instinct took over, protecting its mate from any danger.
    An icy-cold hand swept down her spine and she trembled violently as she felt Ken's soul leave his body. Death made its presence known