Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 44

**Chapter 44: Sacrifice**

“Just look at those two suitors of yours,” the Rank 11 Chitinid remarked, its grotesque face brimming with countless eyes, as it tilted its head to survey Edric and Damian. “They appear ready to lay down their lives for you.”

“The Violet Obsidian’s forbidden arts, is it? Fascinating. It seems that little snake isn’t as feeble as I once thought,” it continued, a sinister glee evident in its voice.

“But today will not be their day to kill me,” it added with a chilling calmness. “Give me but a moment, dear therian female. Once I dispose of these two, I shall take you back to our lair.”

A rush of power surged through Emma, ignited by a mix of fury and desperation as she witnessed the Chitinid prepare to strike at Edric and Damian. In an instant, she shattered the creature’s hold over her and regained control of her own body.

With determination coursing through her veins, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around the Chitinid’s grotesque, tumor-ridden tail. “Edric! Damian! You can’t possibly take it on! Don’t waste a moment worrying about me! Just run! Quickly!” she shouted, her voice a mixture of urgency and fear.

In her heart, Emma understood that since she hadn’t yet formed an official bond with Edric, both he and Damian would likely survive her sacrifice. Even if she were to perish here, they would merely suffer a drop in their ranks—perhaps one or two.

For masters of their caliber, Rank 8 and Rank 9, such a fall was hardly catastrophic. They could easily cultivate their strength back in no time.

“Damn it! How dare you touch my tail?!” The Chitinid spun around, its multitude of eyes locking onto Emma, who clung desperately to its appendage. In its mind, a torrent of anger brewed.

No one, aside from my master, is allowed to lay a finger on my tail! Not even my own brood dares to approach it! And yet, this audacious therian female has the gall to grasp it?!

How utterly unforgivable!

“Very well, then. Since you seem so fond of those two male therian fools, I shall feast upon you right before their eyes,” it hissed, a cruel smile stretching across its grotesque mouth, which gaped wide like a black hole ready to devour.

Emma’s heart raced as she gasped inwardly. What kind of sorcery is this?!

Lying helplessly on the ground, she felt the weight of dread settle over her as the Chitinid leaned closer, intent on swallowing her whole.

“Emma!”

“No!”

The gut-wrenching cries of Edric and Damian echoed in her ears, and she longed for one last glimpse of their faces before her end. But as she tried to move, she found her body once again paralyzed.

Perhaps this is for the best. If I cannot see Edric one last time, I would rather be consumed and die here.

At least this Chitinid is swift enough to prevent Edric and Damian from sacrificing themselves for me.

I would rather face death than let them both perish.

In a twisted way, I’m still winning… Emma thought, despair washing over her as she closed her eyes. Just as the Chitinid’s gaping maw was about to engulf her, a brilliant streak of fire blazed across the sky, illuminating the entire forest.

If it weren’t for the faint rise and fall of her chest, along with the subtle pulse of her ability, he might have feared she was lost forever due to his and Silas’ blunder.

Three months prior, Lucien and Silas had ventured to the outer battlefield to confront the Chitinids.

However, the troop they faced was vast, and it took them two grueling months to finally push the swarm back.

Just as they were preparing to return to the Empire, treachery struck from within their ranks, forcing Lucien to remain behind.

In a show of loyalty, Silas chose to stay with him on the outer battlefield.

Being stationed there meant they could only receive orders from the Empire’s Commander-in-Chief, with no other signals reaching them.

Moreover, the terrain was treacherous and disorienting.

Initially, in their eagerness to return to the Central Planet, they had planned to seek the assistance of scavengers. But fate had other ideas; they not only failed to find help but also encountered a Rank 11 Chitinid.

It had obliterated their gear, lightcores, and weapons in a matter of moments.

The only silver lining? They managed to tail it back to the borders of the Empire, arriving at F–268.