Remi met Aimee’s gaze. “I wouldn’t blame you if you ran for the door.”

“Family forever,” she said, holding her hand up to him.

He grabbed her into a tight hug before he pushed her back toward Fang. “Protect her.”

“With my life.”

They joined the battle. Aimee’s heart pounded as she engaged an Arcadian wolfswain. Burly and ugly, he was almost twice her size.

As he reached for her, Thorn appeared, and he brought with him reinforcements that included Wynter, Zeke, and Ravenna.

Fang gaped as he saw them in the fray. “What’s this?”

Thorn winked at him. “One for all and all for fun, my friend. You didn’t think I’d let you fight demons all on your own, did you?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Thorn laughed as he took the head off a demon who’d made the mistake of getting too close.

“Guess we can kill these, eh?”

Thorn snatched his sword back and gave him a piercing stare. “When your mark sizzles, don’t kill them. When it tingles, they’re all yours.”

So that was the difference in the sensations he felt. “We really need to work on your communication skills.”

“Give it up,” Zeke said as he caught a demon beside Fang and twisted its neck. “He’s just not a people person and we’re never going to housebreak him.”

Fang head-butted one of Eli’s crew. He wanted to turn wolf, his body begged for it, but he had to have arms to fight the demons.

Damn it.

Aimee stepped back from the demon she’d just killed and looked around at the bloody mess. There were just so many demons. Even though Xedrix and crew had come in to help, they were still overwhelmed. Aimee felt like she’d fallen into an anthill. Everywhere she tuned there was a demon or a Blakemore pack member.

We’re going to die…

Tears filled her eyes as she fought down her panic. But how could they hold their own? New demons came in, and they were lagging from battle. Her staff was getting heavier by the minute and though her wounds were minimal, they were still aching.

None of them could use their powers since that would only feed the demons’ strength. Even Acheron was fighting with staff and sword.

Simi was the only one who seemed to be enjoying this as she ran around with a bottle of barbecue sauce, trying to catch Eli’s crew. The rest of them…

It’s hopeless.

Stop it! We’re not down yet.

She was a Peltier mated to a Kattalakis. The blood of two royal Were-Hunter lines was merged inside her and by the gods she would not give in or give up.

Her strength renewed, she tore into the werewolf closest to her. She caught him with her staff, a blow so fierce it lifted him up off his feet and sent him flying into the back of the demon fighting Wren. She lifted her weight up to kick them both back.

Wren laughed. “Get ’em, girl.” He flashed back to his tiger form.

As Aimee advanced to finish them off, she caught sight of Eli heading for her mother’s back. Maman was embroiled with a demon and had no idea he was anywhere near her.

But the bloodlust in his eyes was unmistakable.

He was going to kill her.

Her only thought to save her mother, Aimee turned into a bear and launched herself for him.

Maman turned at the same time Eli spun on Aimee and dealt her a vicious blow to her side. It sent Aimee flying and made her turn human as she tried to catch her breath through the pain. Naked and bleeding, she tried to focus. How on earth did Fang stay in his alternate form?

She couldn’t move…

Gah, it hurts!

Eli went to stab her, but Maman, in her bear form, lunged for his throat, knocking him back. Maman turned back to check on Aimee, who had at least recovered enough to clothe herself.

Her mother placed one large bear claw on her face… where she was sure her Sentinel mark was visible. The frightened concern for her in those black eyes brought a trembling smile to Aimee’s lips.

“I’m all right, Maman.”

Maman went for Eli, but the coward had run off. She pursued him while Fang came running up to check on Aimee.

He helped her up and cupped her face in his hands. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Why are you still human?”

“It’s the only way to fight the demons and win.”

Aimee looked around at all the bodies and the blood-covered combatants and floor. “I’m not too sure we’re winning.”

He flashed her that taunting grin of his that somehow managed to make her feel better even in the face of possible slaughter. “We’re not dead yet.”

No, but that was about all that could be said for them at present.

Fang kissed her, then rejoined the fight. Aimee turned to see Remi get kicked back at the same time one of the demons let out a belch of fire. Remi ducked the blast. The fire went skimming across the polished countertop and caught on the wood of the bar. Flames skimmed across the top and lit the bottles of alcohol.

“Oh, no,” she breathed as the fire quickly spread. Her heart in her throat, she ran for a fire extinguisher while Kyle did the same.

“Fang!” she called, needing more help.

Fang turned at the same time Eli went for him.

Aimee froze in painful shock as she realized what was about to happen.

Eli, sword in hand, was going to behead him.

Screaming, she ran at Fang to save him. He turned as the blade was coming down. Aimee died inside as she realized she’d never reach him in time even if she teleported.

Just as the blade would have reached him, Maman put herself between them. The sword, instead of beheading Fang, was buried deep in Maman’s side.

“No!” Aimee screamed as she saw the stroke.

Maman fell over Eli, pinning him to the floor as the bear mauled him until he stopped moving. When he was still, Maman tried to leave him, but she stumbled.

Aimee reached her mother, who was shaking and gasping. Blood was everywhere as it flowed from the gaping wound. “Maman?” she choked.

Her mother turned human to look up at her. It was then she saw just how horrific the wound was. Aimee conjured a blanket to cover her mother’s naked body.

Carson appeared at their side and shook his head as he saw the wound that had almost cut her in half. “There’s nothing I can do. I’m so sorry, Aimee… Nicolette.”

Aimee grabbed him by the shirt. “Get Talon from the swamp.” He could heal wounds like this. “He’s her only hope.”

Carson vanished.

Maman gasped for breath as she took Aimee’s hand and turned it over to see her marked palm. A tenuous smile curled her lips. “My beautiful daughter.” She kissed her palm.

Aimee choked on her sobs as her brothers surrounded them. “Hold on, Maman. Talon’s coming.”

She swallowed. “It’s too late, ma petite.” Her smile sad, she touched Aimee’s marked cheek. “You were always so beautiful… you should have told me the truth of you long ago.”

Tears stung Aimee’s cheeks.

Fang moved to stand behind Aimee at the same time Papa reached Maman’s side. His eyes were filled with tears as he sank to his knees.

“Nicolette?”

Tears flowed from Maman’s eyes as she reached for her mate. “My precious Aubert. Je t’aime pour toujours.”

Her father’s hands shook as he gathered Maman into his arms and held her close. “Moi aussi, ma petite.”

Maman reached out and took Fang’s hand, then pressed it against Aimee’s. “Forgive me,” she breathed. “May the gods grant you both the happiness Aubert and I have shared, and may you have children as precious as ours.” Her lips trembling, she looked out at all the boys who were gathered there. “I love you, mes enfants. Take care of each other for me.”

Then she turned into a bear. Papa sobbed into her fur as he held her even closer. His Sentinel marks appeared on his face. “Do us proud, children.”

Maman shuddered as her last breath left her. Papa smiled sadly, then laid his head down and joined her in death.