Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“Go!” I shouted between the barrages of my fist. “Take the keys and go.”
The asshole flung and flailed, trying to knock me free, grunting, “She’s mine. She’s mine. You can’t have her.”
“Aria, go!” It boomed against the walls.
Only he stumbled forward another step, so close that she was pinned to the nightstand as he reached his dirty hands in her direction.
Fury whipped and blew, and I fought with everything I had. I refused to give or let go.
I’d promised her I wouldn’t let anyone touch her.
I meant it.
I meant it.
She was my purpose.
My reason.
My reason, who turned so fast she became a blur, and I thought she was going to jump onto the bed and scramble around us, but she was whipping back around with the lamp from the nightstand in her hands.
Glass shattered as she cracked it across his face.
The monster flailed backward, palms going to his face as he howled in agony. “You fucking bitch. I’m going to make this hurt. Gonna cut you up so good.”
My muscles burned as I squeezed tighter, and I used my other hand to pull my forearm harder against his throat.
He staggered back, floundering on his feet until we crashed into the wall. My back slammed against it, and air gushed out of my lungs at the impact. But it didn’t matter. I was used to the pain.
He raked his nails at my arm, trying to break free.
Gurgling sounds started to claw up his throat, the air wheezing thin as it evaporated from his lungs.
“Go, Aria!” I shouted. “Get in the car. If I don’t come out in three minutes, you have to go. You have to protect yourself.”
Hesitation flashed through her eyes before she darted across the room and grabbed the keys where I’d left them on the table. A whimpered cry jutted from between her lips as she blew past us, then ripped open the door.
A blast of freezing cold surged into the room, and Aria raced out, wearing only pajamas and socks, long, black hair flying behind her.
The fucker wailed in agony, like an intrinsic organ was being cut from his body.
How badly I wanted that. To cut him to pieces the way he threatened to do to Aria. He deserved no mercy or grace. I knew he was wicked. To his core. He’d opened himself to the Ghorl.
Welcomed it.
Begged for it.
I could feel it emanating from him. Just the same as I could feel it emanating from the monsters I hunted in the day. The way I knew who to track. Who to end.
He finally dropped to his knees, but still he clawed at my arm, his last-ditch effort at breaking free before he finally went limp and slumped face-first onto the ground. I squeezed tight for a few seconds more, ensuring he was permanently down, before I staggered to my feet.
Harsh breaths rasping from my mouth, I grabbed our bags, which were already packed and waiting, and ran out the door.
Frigid ice pricked against my heated flesh, and my attention scanned the area, looking for anyone who might have heard the commotion and come out to see what the disturbance was about.
Thank fuck the motel was empty enough that no one had heard.
I hurtled down the walkway, bags bouncing at my sides as I ran. Desperate to get to Aria, who waited below in the driver’s seat with the car running.
Plumes of frozen air billowed out from the tailpipes, and I rushed for the stairs.
Only I felt the evil suddenly crash into me from behind, the heavy footsteps that pounded in a flurry of madness.
I whirled around, dropping the bags as I went. His fist was already there, cracking into my left jaw.
Pain splintered up that side of my face. It only incited my fury. The rage that crackled through me in a storm of aggression.
Blinding.
I went for him, throwing blow after blow.
He battled back.
Grunts and slurs and groans flew as our fists landed again and again.
Blood poured from the wounds that busted open on our flesh.
But it was my savagery that reigned.
I threw another punch, landing it with all the strength I possessed.
It was enough to send him reeling. So far that he hit the railing at the base of his back. His arms windmilled, his balance lost, before he tipped over the top.
Falling backward.
One second later, I heard the sickening crunch on the pavement below.
A muffled scream reverberated from within the car where Aria waited. Horror streaking far and wide. I rushed up to the railing, and Aria was twisted in the driver’s seat, terror cloaking her as she looked through the window at the mangled body that had landed six feet to the left of the car.
Blood poured from the crack in his skull and pooled around his lifeless form.
But there was no time to process what had just gone down. I grabbed the bags, bounded downstairs, and tossed our things into the back before I jumped into the passenger seat and shouted, “Go!”