Chapter 5: Protect Her

[Armon's POV]

'Attack?' Blaise, my wolf, asked as I stared down the six demons that were slowly making their way towards me.

'Not yet.'

Before anything, I needed to get the shivering fairy on my back somewhere safe.

'Fairy ?'

I let a huff of annoyance escape me as Blaise began extending his senses.

'Why?'

That was a damn good question.

Why was I doing all this for an insignificant fairy that has absolutely nothing to do with me? Was it because I felt an obligation to repay her for helping me? Or was it something more?

I didn't know and didn't have time to even consider it.

Turning my full attention to the demons that were closing in on me, I let my energy explode, causing them to stagger backwards in shock.

Letting out a growl, their leader lifted a hand, motioning for his men to attack.

Surging forward, I met the closest demon.

Opening my mouth, I let his arm sink deep into my throat. Biting down, I gave a yank, ripping his entire limb off and spitting it out on the ground beside me.

My inner demon was coming to life and the need for blood was increasing. Shit, I needed to end this quickly before I lost control.

Taking advantage of my opponent's pain, I moved forward, launching myself onto him and biting down on his throat. Giving a yank, I ripped his flesh and jumped back as he began to twitch and then burst into flames.

Satisfied that he was gone. I turned and launched myself into the group of demons that were watching with rage.

Letting out growls, the demons clawed at my fur and skin, trying to fight me off my most recent victim.

Snapping the man's neck with my teeth, I let another burst of energy escape me, sending the remaining demons back enough to give me space to attack the next.

Like that, I attacked and killed until there was no one left.

Panting and fighting to remain sane, I collapsed on the ground and closed my eyes.

'You need to calm down.' Blaise warned me before showing me a picture of the blind and injured fairy that sat mere inches from us. 'You might hurt her.'

'You think I don't know that?' I growled as bloodlust began to build in me.

This was why I needed to find the Eternal Fountain soon. It was becoming harder and harder to keep my inner demon locked away.

With each passing day, I could feel him growing stronger, begging for me to give in and let him take control.

Tensing, I snapped out of my feelings as a tentative hand pressed against me, sending soothing waves throughout my entire body, instantly subduing the raging beast.

"Better?" The fairy's tinkling voice murmured as she pressed the rest of her body against me. "You were radiating pain and hatred."

Letting out a low growl, I felt myself beginning to relax.

'Who are you?' I asked through mindlink.

"Moyra Lightfoot." She responded quietly. "The last living ice fae in the guilded forest."

As she spoke, I could feel her body shaking. Whether it was due to pain or sorrow, I didn't know.

'Last?'

"Demons killed my entire clan."

Demons... Did that mean that Frenrick and his men were up to more than just finding the Eternal Fountain?

Moyra's shivering body drew me back to the present. I needed to get her back to the compound and treat her. Once she was well, we could part ways and I could stop worrying about her.

'We need to move.' I huffed, beginning to shift back to my human form.

"Can you walk?" I asked Moyra once I was finished.

"Yeah."

I crossed my arms as I watched her shakily get up from the ground. It looked like her injuries had begun to heal, but unfortunately, the damage was too severe for her to make a full recovery.

"Has any of your sight returned?" I asked as her one remaining eye found its way to me.

"Fuzzy." She murmured, wrapping her arms around herself.

Nodding, I moved forward and knelt down in front of her.

"Get on." I sighed, presenting my back. She should consider herself lucky since every nerve in me screamed to not do it. "We need to get back to my men."

"You go."

Tensing, I shot Moyra a look over my shoulder. Was she really going to be defiant now?

"There is no reason for us to continue our journey together." She continued, sensing my irritance.

"How do you plan to protect yourself alone and magicless?" I demanded.

Why did I even care? This deep-rooted need to protect this strange fae woman was really starting to shake me.

"I will go to the village of the woodland fae."

Woodland fae, weren't they predominantly male and warriors?

"Do you plan to find a husband?" Something about this didn't sit well with me. "How are you going to keep them from taking advantage?"

'Don't let her go.' Blaise whimpered, causing a shock to roll through me.

"That isn't your concern."

I could tell by the annoyance rolling off of Moyra that my questions were beginning to irritate her. Good, at least we were both irritated.

"Thank you for saving me, and if we meet again, I will most certainly return the favor."

"Meet again, my ass."

Growing tired of her talk of leaving, I found myself surging forward and throwing her over my shoulder.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, immediately tensing. "Put me down!"

"Not gonna happen." I huffed, beginning to move. "You're not going to get away from me that easily."

"I don't want to go with you!"

Something about her words struck me, but I ignored the pain they caused. I was clearly feeling extremely grateful to her for helping me. That had to be the issue.

"Too bad. This isn't up for discussion."

She would come with me and get treated. Once I was sure that she was set and would be fine, she could go wherever she damn well pleased.