Chapter 168

As Stiles lay gasping for air, Desmond's hand tightening around his throat, something shifted inside him. His fear, the overwhelming sense of doom, began to transform into something darker, something fierce.

His vision blurred with desperation, and without thinking, he summoned every ounce of strength left in his body.

With a sudden surge of power, he didn't know why it came from, Stiles thrust his knee up into Desmond’s ribs, forcing him to release his grip. Desmond staggered back, shocked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Stiles coughed, sucking in the air that had been cruelly denied to him moments before. Desmond recovered quickly, his face twisting into a furious snarl.

“You little—” Desmond began, stepping forward with menace, but Stiles wasn’t finished.

Before Desmond could react, Stiles lunged, slamming his fist into Desmond’s jaw. The sharp crack of the impact echoed through the underground chamber, and a collective gasp rippled through the gathered audience.

Desmond stumbled,