Page 51 of Dark Rival

“Not if ye hide,” he snapped, not looking back. He thundered down the stairs.

Allie followed, the stone ice cold beneath her bare feet. Evil and malice were seeping into the castle, but it was still only intent.

“I said ye stay back,” he shouted over his shoulder.

Arguing was pointless. He was ruthlessly intent on the pending battle. Allie saw it in his flaming aura and she felt his power and purpose in the night.

In the hall, he donned both swords and flipped open a chest with weapons. Two men thundered into the hall. Allie reached into the chest as he said, “The walls have been breached.”

Taking a knife, Allie responded, “Only six of them are possessed. Capture them alive if you can!”

He sent her a furious and incredulous look, and rushed into the night.

Ceit ran in with Peigi. “What happens?” she cried, her reddish hair flowing to her waist, clearly having been asleep.

“Both of you should hide.” Allie turned her back on them and closed her eyes and focused.

She felt them on top of the ramparts. She gasped as a knife went through a man, his pain flowing around her.

She opened her eyes and ran out into the inner ward. Above, on the ramparts illuminated by torches and starlight, she saw three possessed humans knifing the watch to death. The soldiers’ cries faded.

Royce leapt onto the stairs, sword raised, six men with him. “A Carrick,” he roared.

But the humans who’d just murdered his guard were not coming down the stairs. The walls were over two stories high, but Allie sensed their intentions. “Royce!”

He turned.

The three attackers leapt from the walls into the courtyard, landing below Royce, who was now halfway up the stairs, and just a dozen yards from Allie.

And she met three pairs of maddened eyes, glowing red. All evil was focused on her and their death lust rose up, its scent sickening. In that moment, she knew they were after her.

“Ailios,” Royce cried, clearly sensing their evil need, too.

Allie gripped her knife, tensing.

Royce thundered back down the stairs.

One attacker leapt at her with his demonic power, crossing the entire dozen yards with a single bound, a dagger gleaming. Allie jumped aside and he landed on the ground, not far from her. He leapt to his feet and Allie crouched, waiting to dodge his next attack.

He smiled, teeth dripping saliva, and sheathed the dagger.

Allie started, realizing he didn’t wish to murder her. He wished to seize her.

Behind her, she heard the furious exchange of sword blows. She felt male might and male fury; she felt pain. A man cried out, dying instantly.

Allie jerked and saw it was one of Royce’s men.

Her attacker reached for her with demonic speed, like a striking snake.

Allie leapt aside, but he caught her arm, and she was flung back against his body so hard she saw stars. He was a giant; her head barely reached his chest. His strength was demonic and Allie went still. She could not struggle her way out of his clutches and didn’t bother to try.

Dazed by the impact, she saw Royce violently behead one human monster. Three of his men lay dead at his feet.

The last of the monsters stood behind him—and as Royce flung his glance over his shoulder at her, the possessed giant struck.

It was déjà vu.

The sword descending toward Royce from behind…Royce shouting her name, blind to the thrust…her watching from a short distance, helpless to intervene.