Silver Skin

31

Lycus's Mistake
~
Accalia
~

The doors tore open.

And anticipation struck the hearts of those who wished to step through the threshold.

Do it. Run. The base of Accalia's feet craved to manifest her thoughts into action.

With every thud of Accalia's heart, the drive crawled its way up her body like flames licking at her skin, burning beneath the flesh. She had to run with the others.

She flickered a terrified glance to Cadence, then to Tristan.

They mirrored her expression, only their reverting desire to get out of here swam too close to the surface. They were willing to kill for it, taking down anyone in their path.

Accalia would do the same, but only if she left with Lycus. Only if he was with her. It would only take one thing. An exchange.

"I have eternity," Adriana gleamed and gripped the sides of her throne, eagerly waiting. "But I lack patience."

Adriana waved her hand toward a handful of people in the crowd and in an instant they shifted into lycans, bearing on all fours. Five of them, all at the ready and awaiting their queen's demands.

Accalia solidified a terror-filled glance to Lycus and his blackened eyes soared with callousness. He was paying attention, he was blood-thirsty and predatory. He had a focus now.

Accalia had seen that blazing stare a few times within her mate and every time it nipped her with disturbance.

"Let's see if fear bends your will," Adriana casted a commanding glance at Lycus as he stepped out of his cage.

He was rabid, detached and disconnected. He paced up and down, his lengthy claws scraping against the ground and he barred canines waiting to bite down. Into skin and flesh.

He was out for blood and it was by Adriana's command.

She had completely weaponised him, if it was by the collar around his neck, breaking his soul and repairing it again — she tore him into pieces, only to piece him back together to her liking. Her creation. Just as she did with Cole. Just as she will do to Rexton.

But Accalia had to try, with her dry as bone throat and shuddering heart that wanted to burst into a million pieces.

"Lycus," Accalia said gently and she raised her hand, trying to find humanity within the beast.

Lycus turned to her, the scars across his face, to his forehead down to his lip and chin. He had scars like she had. Skin-deep, but enough to cut into the soul.

He tilted his head as if to understand her, to study the person in front of him. His eyelids shuttered and before he could show any signs, any deliverance of hope, Adriana laughed mockingly.

"Collect your beloved Accalia, Lycus." Adriana spat down at him.

Lycus charged forward. At her. At all of them.

Accalia didn't have the chance to blink, too terrified that her body planted itself on the spot. In a brushing moment, Rexton took her out of Lycus's path and they slammed into the ground.

Rexton was immediately on his feet and attempted to sweep Lycus's focus on him, onto the hybrid.

It worked, Lycus was side-tracked and Accalia felt hands wrapping around her, forcing her to her feet.

"We have to run," Tristan whispered into her ear.

Rexton and Lycus faced off, stalking in a circular motion where it was just them. It was enough, a dutiful distraction where there would be a brief moment of escape.