The Unleashing
Page 34

Kera stood, wiping the blood from her nose, before charging Erin, ramming into her, and dropping them both to the ground.
Using her leg, Erin flipped Kera up and over. Erin went with her, using her knees to pin Keras forearms to the ground. Then Erin leaned in and spit right in Keras face.
Thats when Kera lost it.
Using her entire body and her newly developed strength, Kera rolled over with a roar until she was on top of Erin. She grabbed Erin by the hair, dragging her to her knees as Kera stood.
First Kera rammed her own knee into Erins face, more than once. Then she threw her to the ground and kicked her. When Erin was facedown, trying to crawl away, Kera picked her up by her T-shirt and flung her about ten feet away.
Cracking her neck, Kera began to walk toward Erin, watching the smaller redhead, covered in blood and developing bruises, pull herself up until she stood.
Erin lifted her left hand, clenching the fingers until the knuckles cracked.
Tessa pushed him forward. You better get in there. Then Tessa and the other Crows ran. Away.
Vig knew why, too. Almost every Crow had an extra gift. Some more dangerous than others. Like Erins gift.
And Vig only had seconds to move.
Kera saw Amsel flex her hand, like she wanted to pound Kera right into the ground.
Swinging her arms away from her body in a clear challenge, Kera yelled, Come on, bitch! Bring it!
Thats when it rolled from the redheads hand like a whip. Bright red-and-orange flame. Not only did it move like a whip, but thats how Amsel treated it. She drew her arm back and the flame followed; then with a scream, she brought her arm forward and the flame whipped out at Kera. She watched it cut through the air, the tip aimed to cut right across her bare chest. Kera started to move, but she wasnt fast enough.
But Vig was. He jumped in front of Kera with the round metal picnic table and held it up. The vicious flame cut right through the metal, leaving Vig with two distinct pieces.
Fuck, he gasped when he saw what Amsels power could do.
Amsel pulled back her arm again and Vig pushed Kera behind him, using his poor defenseless body to protect her.
That is enough! Chloes voice bellowed, cutting through all the bullshit.
She walked across the yard, dark eyes screaming with rage.
First, she focused on Amsel. I know, she said, her voice low, that you didnt just unleash that flame on a fellow Crow.
Chloe
I knowChloe now screamedthat you would never do something that despicable to one of your own!
Amsel closed her fist and the flame vanished as quickly as it had come, her head dropping as she suddenly studied her feet.
And you, she snarled at Kera. You attack a fellow Crow over a dude?
No, it was because
Over a dude!
Kera stopped talking. She had the feeling that Chloe didnt want to hear it. Any of it. For her, there were no excuses. No legitimate reason why one Crow should or would ever attack another.
Sadly, Kera still didnt feel that. She didnt understand that. She didnt know what these women were about or why she should feel the need to protect any of them. And, after this, she was sure she would never understand that feeling.
Chloe walked over to one of the deck chairs and grabbed a towel that hung from the back. She threw it at Kera. Cover your tits, and both you bitches get inside and get your wounds taken care of. Now!
Tessa and two other Crows that specialized in healing, helped dig glass out of Keras back, readjust Vigs neck, and put Erins broken nose back into place. Cuts were cleaned up and salve smoothed on to help with healing. Ice packs were pressed against angry purple bruises, and aspirin was given to each to help with additional aches and pains.
It was all that was necessary for Crows and Ravens. If the fight shed just witnessed had taken place with normal humans, theyd be in the hospital for a couple of days. Plus, wounds would have to be sewn, and theyd probably get something stronger than aspirin.
While the two Crows sat on the examination tables of the Healing Room, as they called it, and Vig slowly pulled his T-shirt back on, Tessa dismissed her two assistants.
Keras freshly unleashed wings sagged sadly from her back, and she still held a towel over her bare chest. Erin pressed an ice pack against her reset nose.
So, Tessa began, what are we going to do with you two? You cant go around fighting each other. When neither spoke, Tessa pushed, Well?
Put me on another team, Kera said.
What fucking team would have you? Erin shot back. You and your goddamn clipboards.
You mention my clipboard one more time
Stop it! Tessa snapped. I mean seriously. What is wrong with you two?
She started this, Kera barked.
I was trying to help!
Well, dont bother trying to help anymore. Next time you might get me killed!
Oh, get over yourself!
Tessa slapped her hands together. That is enough! Holy shit! She let out a breath and tried to figure out what to do next. When nothing brilliant came to her team leader mind, Tessa decided to separate them for a while.
Kera, just . . . go take a break. Away.
Kera slipped off the exam table, heading to the door. But when Erin gave the slightest sneer, one side of her top lip lifting up, Kera immediately responded by giving her the finger.