Stumbling to his feet, he took in the scene. His team encircled the big-ass monster, each furious, timing their blows, slowly weakening Tromos. Astrid dove under and sliced into his thigh. As she popped up on the other side, Bodie came from the other direction as the wolf and tore a chunk of muscle from his other leg. Ryan’s sword, dark as the demon realm, took a gouge out of his arm. From out of nowhere, Blayk rushed in, hammering Tromos in the ribs with a series of kicks.
Joints aching from his injuries, bruises sprouting in areas he didn’t even realize he’d been hit, Bennett rose to his feet and lifted his sword, hobbling toward his team.
At his side, Adair drew one of her knives, took careful aim, and launched it across the room. The blade nailed Tromos in his thick neck. Tromos howled and ripped the thing out, sending it flying back.
Bennett caught the next fist with his busted shield. One swiping while another distracted him, exchanging blows, the team brought him to his knees.
Shoving his blade into Tromos’ abdomen, Bennett sliced deep and watched as the demon’s guts came spilling out. Revolted, his own gut roiling as he remembered the sensation, Bennett stepped back and almost pitied the creature as his wail shook through the cavern like an avalanche up-slope.
Opening his mouth to bellow his final words, cursing his attackers, Tromos tipped his head back furiously.
From behind him, whizzing past his ear, a dagger embedded dead center into Tromos’ throat. Thunder stolen from his breathless roar, Tromos’ eyes rolled back in his head, a lifeless choke rattling from his throat as he collapsed to the ground.
Turning, Bennett watched as Adair strolled close. “Sorry if you wanted the last hit. I–”
Steel clanging against stone as Bennett dumped his sword and wrapped his shield arm around her, hauling her against him. “Nice shot. You just wanted to prove you don’t need me,” he teased.
Her bow lips turning up in a wicked smile, she stole a quick peck before sniping back, “I don’t. But I really like having you around.”
“Like?” Aching in his chest, Bennett knew this was it. Mission accomplished. She could return to her eternity of safety.
Gaze locked onto his, her cheeks flushed pink. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“Never,” he whispered, nipping a kiss at her lower lip, trying to hide that his legs were about to give out, his arm so sore he couldn’t hold on much longer.
Ready, catching him before he fell, she grinned at him. “I love you Bennett. I may die tomorrow or live a thousand years. But I want every second I can have with you. Marry me?”
He unlatched his shield and let it fall, the broken steel vibrating as it hit the ground. Arms free, he wrapped around her and leaned his forehead against hers. Sore from the fight, every bone in his body aching, he grinned. “I have no idea what it will do to you, you might lose your immortality or–”
“Is that a yes?” She grinned, then cradled her palms around the curve of his jaw and pressed her lips to his.
“Yes. That is a yes.” He smiled against her mouth and pulled her tighter against him.
Behind him, Lana cleared her throat.
Bennett turned.
“Think he’ll stay dead, or is he more catlike, like vampires?”
Arms entwined around him, Adair exhaled thoughtfully. “Better finish him.”
Axe drawn high over her head, Lana let it fall and extricated his head from his body.
Vann stepped closer and scowled at the beast. He pulled out a pack of matches and set Tromos truly and irreversibly ablaze.
Hand linked with Adair’s, his aches easing with each step, Bennett strolled out of the cavern with his team.
Epilogue
Night was thick on the air, but sunrise teased at the edges of the horizon.
Hands linked with Bennett’s, Adair stood in front of her favorite people, and a few she suspected would soon reach that honor, and said the words she’d withheld for too long. The moonlight reflected off the massive walls of windows of the BC home. At the edge of the world on the rocky cliff high above the thundering ocean, Adair answered, “I do.”
Quentin, the very hunter that had caught them together all those years ago, the wedge that unwittingly drove them apart, now stood before them and grinned as he watched his godson take his turn. “And Bennett, do you take Adair, to share your gifts with, to cherish and love, for as long as you both shall live?”
Bennett held her gaze. “I do.”
Adair heard her brother’s whoop as they were pronounced as married, the cheers of the team showering them with joy. Bennett’s parents stood arm in arm, Lizzy’s hand over her expanding belly, happily looking on as their son settled down.
