Page 19 of Twist of Fate

“Your brother? Wait, what?”

The second attacker used the momentary distraction to attack, but Luke ducked and spun. So impressive, for a human. Worthy to be a warrior’s mate for sure.

Avaneel fluttered to the rescue, using her razor-sharp claws to stab at the attacker’s eye. That should have taken his eye, leaving him blinded and screaming.

Connal growled when the creature merely swatted at her and kept coming. No pause. No disruption. As if he barely even registered the attack.

These creatures were not reacting normally at all. They had no self-preservation. They would not stop, which meant the danger to his mate was even worse than Connal first feared.

Luke gasped and finally took a needed step back, which allowed Keir to emerge from the shadows and grab their enemy by the throat.

Keir’s black hair spun around him as he flipped the creature through the air and slammed it to the ground. The beast struggled under Keir’s hold, unable to break free.

“Holy shit!”

Unfortunately, Connal had no time to explain that Luke had nothing to fear from Keir. It didn’t matter anyway. Luke wasn’t paying attention to him. His eyes scanned the alley, searching for an escape route.

His mate was so impressive. His brothers would be envious of his good fortune.

“We must⁠—”

“Look out!” Luke grabbed Connal’s arm and tugged him back as one of the new arrivals managed to slip past Asterius.

Really? Asterius couldn’t manage five puny creatures on his own? Connal sighed and grabbed the feral beast around the chest before he could get near Luke. He squeezed then headbutted the creature for good measure. It went limp in his arms, and he dropped it to the ground.

Luke’s eyes widened as Connal stepped over the beast to get back to his mate’s side. “You are safe now.”

Zer stepped into the alley, eyes already tracking every moving piece. “Block!”

Connal immediately responded to Zer’s command. He grabbed Luke and spun, raising one arm to stop the blade flying toward them.

Zer’s arrival sharpened Connal’s instincts further, honing the conclusion Connal himself had reached. This was indeed a coordinated attack. They’d been contained easily within the alley. If Luke had been alone, he wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Another confounding human vehicle appeared at the alley’s entrance, blocking their path. The roar of a one-eyed beast filled the air from the opposite end of the alley. Motorcycle—Connal remembered the name as the rider dismounted and charged toward them.

Keir moved to block it, giving Connal a split second to reassess the situation. He tightened his grip on Luke’s arm, pulling him back into position behind his shoulder.

“Stay behind me.”

It wasn’t a suggestion.

Luke twisted sharply, breaking the hold with practiced ease. “Not happening.”

Instead of obeying, Luke reset his stance as he moved. He angled himself back into the fray instead of away from it.

Why wouldn’t his mate fall back? Any sensible human would have.

Connal stepped into Luke’s space again, forcing the angle this time while giving his mate a stern glare. Once he was squarely between Luke and the attackers, he restated his command.

“Do not move.”

Luke didn’t even hesitate. He moved away from Connal and slipped out of his reach as if he’d anticipated the command.

“I said I’ve got this,” Luke replied.

He moved cleanly and decisively, striking the nearest attacker again before Connal could redirect him. Connal stilled for half a heartbeat, recalculating.

This wasn’t panic or confusion.