Considering he had yet to fully heal from the explosion, he should have grabbed Nola and run, leaving Union in their dust. But he’d decided to win the belt now, not later. By waiting, he risked losing it to another. And yes, there was a chance he’d also hoped to show Nola his battle skill and incomparable strength, proving he could protect her better than Zion. Or any male.

Breaths heaving, Bane herded Union toward a cluster of trees. Shadows spilled over him, offering a measure of relief. Still the insect-rodents followed, drawing ever closer.

Union dodged the next blow and pivoted, his gaze darting over the island. “I sense a female. A tasty one, at that. The one who visited us in the ice prison.” Dark intrigue radiated from him, mingling with darker anticipation. “Once I finish with you...”

Do not react. In battle, emotion makes you stupid. “Now you will die badly,” Bane said, his voice so rough the words scoured his ears. He lunged, extending his sword.

Union expected the action and blocked, only to pause and gape when wings burst from Bane’s back.

With a powerful flap, his entire body lifted off the ground. He kicked out a leg, nailing the underside of Union’s chin. On contact, the blade attached to the toe of his boot ejected, cutting through skin, muscle and tongue.

Crimson rivers trickled from the corners of Union’s mouth. Eyes wide, he stumbled back. Like Bane, like every combatant, he’d trained to fight no matter the extent of an injury, so he didn’t run. He even blocked Bane’s next strike.

The insects-rodents—insectents—reached Bane at last, crawling up his legs. Biting his legs. Mild pain, wicked aftershocks.

He cursed as his vision clouded. Damn it! The illusion did incite true harm, tormenting him. Weakness invaded his limbs, and he wobbled on his feet.

If they harmed him this severely, what would they do to Nola?

Union laughed. As Bane flicked and flung the insectents off his body, the bastard plunged a blade into his shoulder wound. Searing agony. Black dots in his vision. The beast roared louder, scattering his thoughts. All but one. Don’t transform, don’t you dare transform.

Another thought aligned. Nola hadn’t teleported away. Her scent hadn’t faded. Why had he ever encouraged her to stay put unless things got bad? Things always got bad.

“Go!” he shouted to her, even knowing he would transform the moment she obeyed. “Now!”

Damn it! He heard no telltale sounds to signal her departure. No whoosh of air, no rustle of clothing. Fury graduated into rage, slashing through his calm veneer.

Like any good soldier, Union used Bane’s distraction to his advantage, planting a foot on his thigh, stepping up and wrapping a leg around his neck. Intending to rip off his head? Big mistake. Huge.