Sergius: #4 (Luna Lodge: Hunters of Atlas) by Madison Stevens

kiss on her mouth.
    She tried to push him away but sighed after a moment and kissed him back.
    When he pulled back, Jade slumped in his arms, and he caught her just before she fell to the ground. She blinked at him several times, and tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
    The kiss of gotten through. She was back with him, and that was all he needed.
    She lifted a shaky hand and pointed into the woods. “Too late. He’s already here.”

Chapter Fifteen
     
     
    Sergius growled as black smoke filled the area surrounding them. As good as his eyesight was, he couldn’t pierce through the thick black smoke, and he knew the monster was stalking them under the cloak of this strange camouflage.
    He sniffed. The same odd scent they’d smelled on Dea surrounded them now as well. Whatever it was, it didn’t smell like anything he’d ever encountered before. It certainly wasn’t a Glycon, not that he expected it to be given the strange smoke trick it was pulling.
    The creature screamed to the right of him from the hidden depths of the smoke. Another quick movement followed, and then a shriek sounded from behind him.
    Fast. The thing was maybe faster than Magnus.
    As unnerving as it was, the more noise it made, the better he’d be able to track it. It’s desire to scare him would work to his advantage. The monster’s arrogance would help him protect his woman, even if it was faster than him.
    Sergius followed the creature as it circled around them, ensuring he was between himself between and the woman he loved. No matter what, that creature would not touch his woman or his unborn child.
    He growled. It should have stayed in the world of dreams. In the real world, he could protect her. In the real world, he could tear its fucking head off for daring to threaten his Vestal.
    Two bright blue eyes shined from the smoke. A grim satisfaction overtook him. It wasn’t some ghost or spirit, it was some sort of hybrid, just like him. If it was a hybrid, then it could be killed.
    It was even hiding in smoke instead of just attacking him. That suggested it was afraid.
    This wasn’t an immortal beast of nightmares. This creature was just another flesh and blood monster like a Glycon. He let out a loud growl of challenge.
    “What are you waiting for?” he shouted at the monster. “I’m right fucking here. If you want her, you’ll have to go through me. If you’re not too scared, then let’s do this.”
    The blue eyes grew brighter. Then, it looked for a moment as if the thing had narrowed his eyes at him. The monster let out another loud shriek as a smaller plume of smoke rushed past him.
    He spun and spotted a blur in the corner of his eyes. Something slammed into his body, sending him spiraling away from Jade. He grunted as he smashed into the ground.
    Sergius hopped to his feet and quickly placed himself again between Jade and the monster. He winced and looked down at his side. The bastard had clawed him, leaving a long gash open along his ribs. The blood flowed down his bare side.
    Fuck the creature. It was going to take a lot more than that to finish him. If it wanted him to stop, it’d have to kill him, and if it wasn’t going to do that, he’d kill it first.
    He’d rip it apart piece by piece if had to.
    Another screech came, this time from behind him. He turned just as it passed him, another shadow in the corner of his eye. Sharp claws scraped across his back. The flesh there tore with ease. He hissed.
    Ignoring the pain, Sergius slammed his fist to the side of the monster as it passed. A satisfying crunch followed. His enemy shrieked and disappeared back into the smoke. He still hadn’t managed to actually directly look at his opponent.
    He took in ragged, short breaths. He wouldn’t cry out. There was no way in hell he was going to give his enemy the satisfaction. Though the wound on his back hurt more than he wanted to admit, he landed a damn blow on the bastard. He could win this fight.
    “So you are mortal,”