Page 84 of Reforging Onyx

Onyx could destroy all of them.

Even after spending three hours using his magic, and especially if he took Dominic’s advice about using fire as projectiles, he could tear through the constructs easily.

Ambrose would likely escape. The thought was infuriating, but Dominic couldn’t identify a way that he — they — might be able to take him down.

Did he have a choice?

What would Onyx do?

Would Onyx turn on him the moment he had the ability to do so?

Dominic’s defenses would hold.

He thought.

After destroying the constructs, could Onyx escape, then?

Potentially. Maybe.

Dominic could still spell him asleep if he had to, but if he was right about Onyx’s ability to get through his shields, Onyx could kill him before he could cast the spell.

Risk versus outcome.

Let Lady Fate swing her blade.

Chapter 35

Onyx

The situation was dire; they were vastly outnumbered, and Shane had to be running low on bullets. Dominic was bleeding freely, and he hadn’t put together another offensive spell. His defenses seemed to be holding — for now — but what if he passed out?

Onyx was no general or even a leader to be able to make calls on the battlefield. He was a follower, someone who obeyed others’ orders, because that was all he’d ever be. And for the most part, he was fine with that. If his time with Dominic had taught him anything, it was that he’d never be a strategist. He was a soldier.

And he had long since made his peace with that.

They were low on time, and each second Dominic spent in thought — weighing every angle, Onyx was sure — was another second the things he’d called constructs had to close in on them. They were going to be outnumbered very, very soon, and as much as Onyx craved freedom, he wasn’t stupid enough to think that this was really some sort of rescue mission.

Maybe if Dominic hadn’t known the assailant, and Onyx had been able to convince himself that they had good intentions… but no. Onyx could read between the lines. This wasn’t someone he wanted to end up wrapped up with.

He said nothing as Dominic thought, because Dominic would do what Dominic would do. Nothing Onyx could say would be new or persuade him, really.

Then Dominic’s hand was cupping his cheek, and the collar slid away.

Power flared through him, and he shuddered at the feeling of it flowing back into him and filling him like he was an empty cup. He might’ve gone through half of his reserves at the warehouse, but he wasn’t completely drained, and he wasn’t helpless.

Hells, even before Dominic had taken the collar off, he hadn’t been helpless. He could’ve killed Dominic then and there by taking advantage of that injury. Shane was too distracted, and he was hurt as well. He’d heal quickly as a werewolf, but Onyx had had the advantage even before Dominic had removed the collar from his throat.

And now…

He looked at Dominic, his eyes cold and appraising — the eyes of the rebel that had done so much damage to Tartarus, not the boy who got excited about meals and magic or the man who surrendered to kisses and touches. He should kill the Bancroft witch first, then the wolf, then deal with the other threats. The other threats would cease to be threats if he neutralized Dominic and Shane, if Ambrose hadn’t been lying.

But Dominic had been convinced that he was… or he just wanted Onyx to believe that. It wasn’t like he’d want Onyx to walk off with someone else. Fuck, Onyx couldn’t even imagine Dominic letting that happen. He’d lose his mind.

But now Onyx held all of the power, and he had to decide what he wanted to do with it.

Kill Dominic and Shane.

Kill Ambrose.