Flickering Light (Return To Avalore Book 0) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Avalore, and she was battling an Erritrol.
    A white cotton shirt hugged her chest, and a long flowing skirt clung to her body as the wind whipped it around her legs. Fastened at the back, a ponytail cascaded past her shoulders in dark waves. And on top of her head, dark sunglasses rested, a forgotten remnant from the day long gone.
    Black energy swung close to her as the beast lunged. What the hell did she think she was doing?
    He sprang back into action when he realized she intended to fight the beast.
    “Protect yourself, woman. Pull back.” He sent his commands to her telepathically as only their people could do.
    The Erritrol were a vicious breed, each and every one of them fierce warriors. This male would not think twice about tearing a pretty woman to pieces for no reason other than to destroy something beautiful. Had they not been so vile, so evil, he might have been able to respect them for their tenacity in battle.
    Drake could make out her words as he edged his way closer. As tempting as it was, he forced himself not to listen to her compulsive intonations. He hadn’t heard the ancient words of their people in such a long time, and never outside of Avalore. Her words were not perfect, and her accent was not quite right, but she was managing to keep the beast from going into a full rage, which was a feat in itself. It also explained why it hadn’t blasted her to bits yet.
    He drew from others in the vicinity, not caring about the source. His warrior’s instinct was to go into an all-out battle with the creature and end it fast, but the woman was close—too close. No, he had to be careful, having her hurt or killed was not acceptable. He had to get around the enemy so he could concentrate his blast right into its chest to deliver a blow strong enough to either kill or at least incapacitate it. He moved, careful not to disturb the natural flow around him as he made his way closer to the woman.
    The Erritrol snarled just before it lunged at her, striking her arm as she released her healing light into its chest. Drake’s fury rose like hot lava. No one laid a hand on the women of Avalore. Going on instinct, he sent a massive burst of energy into the beast’s back. Years of training and fighting held his aim straight and true even as he moved through the air trying to get into a more advantageous position. A strike to the head or chest would have been more effective but at least that would give the bastard something to ponder.
    Attacking it like this wasn’t the most strategic move, but if he could draw its attention, she’d be safer. The woman didn’t as much as glance in his direction as he maneuvered into position to defend her. The beast stumbled and roared under the onslaught. Its eyes darted around trying to track his position.
    “Protect yourself, now,” he commanded again.
    Why was she engaging the dark creature? Did she not realize he’d take care of it for her? Feminist groups would balk at the archaic idea of a man taking care of a woman, but the women of Avalore didn’t have the ability to shield themselves as quickly or as well as the men did. It had nothing to do with keeping them from their potential and everything to do with keeping them safe.
    With all the energy Drake was pilfering, the people hiding or sleeping in their homes would feel a little more tired than usual come morning, but at least they’d be alive. It took everything he had to shut out the melodic chanting as she tried to soothe the beast. If he timed it just right, he could send the beast back with just one or two blows. It didn’t know where he was but it would soon figure it out. And Drake wanted it weakened before it did.
    His heart stuttered as the beast roared and took another swipe. Black energy cut through the air towards her. Horrified, he was helpless to keep the sharp claws from slicing into her throat as it tried to deliver a killing blow.
    The breeze shifted, bringing with it the scent of blood—her blood.