Chapter 40

CATALINA

My eyes squeezed shut, waiting for impact. After several seconds of feeling nothing, I peeked one eye open, coming face to face with Kol.

“Not on my watch, kitten.”

I noticed he was covered in blood from head to toe, chunks of flesh on him. ~What happened?~ I sent to him.

He looked at something over his shoulder, and I followed his glance. Where Cerberus once was, now there was nothing. Nothing but blood and guts.

“He was in my way,” he stated casually, like he didn’t just kill a beast three times his size and double his strength.

I should also note Kol was holding me bridal style in my lycan form. A bark of surprise left me when he nipped my neck.

“I don’t remember your lycan being this big, or the shiny lights,” he said.

It was then I realized the electric purple was still covering me, yet it wasn’t hurting Kol. ~Put me down,~ I told him, hearing footsteps nearing us.

Reluctantly, he placed me gently on my feet. The moment my feet hit the ground, I shifted. Nick reached for me, only for Kol to pull me away.

“Didn’t I tell you morons to keep her safe?” he snarled, taking a threatening step toward Nick.

I stepped between them. ~We don’t have time for this, Kol. United front, remember?~

At first, I thought he was going to ignore my warning like he normally did, but he stepped back. A hard chest pressed against my back.

I looked over my shoulder, locking eyes with a bloody Luce. “Who’s left? I’m ready to end this.”

Something shone strapped to his back. The Light of Betrayal—he brought it with him. His words reminded me that Sebastian was still locked in battle with Poseidon.

“Time to make some sushi,” Kol snickered at my words.

“Someone needs to help your mother.” Dante stepped in front of the group, halting our advance. He looked torn.

I could tell he wanted to rush off and help Nyx, but he didn’t want to leave me unguarded—even though I was currently surrounded by four of my males.

I glanced over at Lucien, who was still out cold. ~Are you sure he’s okay?~ I asked Nick.

~He was knocked unconscious during the fight. I’m keeping him under simply because he annoys me.~

I shot him a look. What part of “united front” weren’t they getting? I decided to leave it for now, but later we were all having a talk.

“You help her, we’re helping the vamp kill water boy, and then we’re done here,” Kol said as he walked past him, intentionally bumping him with his shoulder.

“My mate has risked enough here,” he called over his shoulder.

My eyes darted to the right with Nyx and Zeus. She seemed to be holding her own. “I’ll help Nyx,” Luce said, making his way in their direction.

He pulled the light off his back, grinning as he walked. “With the two of us, we’ll finish him quick. Cat, finish Poseidon. All this shit ends here today,” he called over his shoulder.

I nodded, taking off after Kol. He had already joined the fight between Sebastian and Poseidon. My eyes locked on Sebastian’s missing arm, rage filling my vision.

I could feel my lycan trying to take over again. But I wanted to be in human form when I killed this scum. I threw myself into the fight, delivering a hard kick to his back.

He stumbled forward, falling right into Kol’s fist. Kol grinned at me over his head, ignoring the stream of water Poseidon was about to hit him with.

I panicked and threw myself at him, knocking his aim off balance. Sebastian leaned heavily against the counter, now watching the fight instead of joining.

Good, because he was losing a lot of blood. More than I thought he had to begin with. I was so focused on Sebastian, I missed the fist being swung toward my face.

His hand connected to my cheek with the strength of ten lycans. My head snapped to the side, and I fell to the floor, spitting out blood. Well, damn.

Poseidon stood over me, a murderous glare on his face. “I regret helping create you,” he snarled, lifting his hand to deal another blow.

One I was sure would put me out of the fight. A burst of shadows erupted in front of me, and Kol stepped out of them.

“You’ve hurt my mate. This game is over now.” With a burst of speed, he thrust his hand through his chest. “I’ll give her your heart to make her feel better.”

He grinned, snatching his hand out. At the same time, Dante flew by with his wicked dagger, slicing his throat. Kol frowned, still holding the pumping heart.

“He was already dead.”

Dante sighed, cleaning his dagger off on his shirt. “And now he’ll stay dead.”

“She’ll never know peace!” a voice shouted from across the room. We turned in that direction. Luce was holding Zeus in the air by his throat.

“Not for as long as I live.”

Luce laughed. “Good thing you won’t be living long.” His hand tightened, nails digging into his neck. Zeus choked, eyes bulging as he clawed at his hands.

But it wasn’t Luce that dealt him the death blow. Nyx screamed, a look of vengeance on her face as she stabbed the bolt of light into the top of his head.

Zeus exploded, literally. And so did the bolt.

“Fucking finally! Nick, grab the wolf. Dragon, let’s go,” Kol said, grabbing my hand. “No need to stick around; our work here is done.”

Nyx looked at him in surprise. “I would like to have a word with my daughter,” she said, trying to wipe the blood from her hands. She was back to her graceful self.

Kol snorted. “Send a text then.”

Before I could protest, I was sucked up by a cloud of shadows. We landed in my room back at Luce’s place. I glared at Kol.

“That was rude.”

He shrugged. “They wanted your help fighting. You helped; everyone’s dead. Now that means it’s time for you to go home. Nothing else needs to be said.”

He did have a point, but still. “Maybe she wanted to give her thanks.”

Kicking off his shoes, he made his way to the bed. “Like I said, she can text.”

I glared at his retreating back. I heard a commotion downstairs, letting me know the others had arrived. Shooting one last glare at Kol, I left the room to go meet them.

The rest of my mates and Nyx were all gathered in the dining area. Lucien was now conscious and looking miserable. I arched my brow at him in question.

He pouted. “I missed all the action.”

Shaking my head, I took a seat next to him.

“You’ll get them next time, babe,” I joked, kissing his cheek.

“Maybe next time don’t let another dog kick your ass.” Nick chuckled.

“I bet *you* can’t kick my ass, half-breed.”

Nyx cut in, used to my mates’ bickering now. “I just wanted to thank you properly before I leave.”

I frowned at her. “Where are you going?”

She smiled. “The fight with Zeus really opened my eyes. I’m getting too old for conflict. It’s time for me to retire to an island somewhere.”

I nodded. I got it. Whenever I got the chance, I’d move to an island too.

“How will we stay in contact?”

She smiled sadly at me. “We won’t.”

“You’re leaving her again?” Lucien growled out before I could think of something to say.

Her eyes cut to him before focusing back on me. “For your safety, it’s best no one else knows who your mother is. Therefore, we’ll have to go our separate ways.”

I looked at Dante. “Are you leaving too?”

He hesitated, looking guilty at Nyx. She laughed. “Of course not, dear. He never wants to leave your side again.”

I blushed at her words. Dante and I hadn’t had much time with each other, what with everything moving so fast. But after fighting by my side, I now felt comfortable around him. Not comfortable enough to invite him into my bed, but still. It was much like when I first met Kol.

“She’s right, I don’t plan to be away from you again now that I’ve found you.”

Lucien snorted at his words.

Nyx rose from her chair. “I enjoyed our time together, daughter. I know I said it’s best we stay out of contact with each other, but if you ever need my help, use your lycan to reach me.”

We hugged for a long time—sad we had to part after just reconnecting. But she was right, it was for the best.