Interesting choice.
If he’s starting light, I already know he’s planning to take his time.
“I wouldn’t even wait to snack on that piece of shit.”
The low growl vibrating in my head yanks me back to reality. Right. My aunt’s outside this dump with my so-called guardian. I roll my eyes.
“You, of all mercreatures, should know the hunt tastes better when you play with it first. You’renofun.”
He doesn’t even bother arguing anymore—just huffs, annoyed. I think he’s long since accepted that trying to shut me up is a lost cause. That’s the price of growing up with a dragon tethered toyour life force. He can’t hurt me, can’t even piss me off unless he’s close enough to absorb the blow if I lose control.
Abert crouches, eyeing Solas like a predator savoring the moment before the kill. Solas is hogtied—wrists and ankles yanked behind his back, tight enough to snap something if he so much as twitches.
“With these filthy hands, you took the life of my only son,” Abert growls, his voice low and cold. “It’s only fair I return the favor. And don’t look at me like some wounded dog—” he sneers, twisting the knife of his words, “—because that’ll just make killing you sweeter.”
A muffled scream claws at the gag binding Solas’s mouth as Abert slowly presses the tip of his knife into his temple—no rush, just enough pressure to let the fear bloom.
Yes. That’s the Abert I know.
“Call me when you’re done,” I say offhandedly, flicking my hand like I’m brushing away dust. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t make it to the next life.”
I turn on my heel, not sparing Solas another glance.
“I’ll be outside with Myko and Bay.”
“Hungry as hell,”I share with Myko the second the door shuts behind me. I need that catch. I’m not letting Solas’s soul go to waste.
“Don’t even start,”Myko snaps back, his voice echoing in my head.“You were the one going on about'play with the prey’nonsense. Sometimes I wonder if you’re actually Bay’s son, not Alin’s.”
“Well, I spent most of my free time with you and Bay, so don’t blame me now. You made me this way.” I say aloud with a chuckle, as Aunt Bay’s red hair comes into view, tied back in a messy bun—making her look even smaller—she and my mom are so short in their human form.
Myko’s body is coiled protectively around her, with only his massive tail resting against the dirty cement road. His huge head hovers just above hers, eyes glowing purple with annoyance like they’re mid-argument.
Ah. That explains why he didn’t argue with me earlier; it wasn’t me—he’s already neck-deep in Bay’s wrath.
They both turn toward me like I’ve just walked in on something I shouldn’t.
“What’s going on?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Don’t even ask—” Bay starts, but Myko cuts her off.
“Glad you asked. Your sister snuck out again.”His tone is smug, but when Bay’s frown deepens, I know she heard it too. Of course she did. I can barely have a second of privacy with him, but for her? Helivesinside her body—tethered to her soul like a parasite with scales and claws. Merfuck, my aunt is strong as hell.
Wait.Did he just say—
“Kayla. Yes.”Myko confirms with an irritated growl.“She snuck out about an hour ago. Some guy picked her up. She messaged Bay to keep it quiet, but she only saw it just now.”
Kayla?With a guy?
She’s fucking sixteen.
He’s dead.
The surge hits hard—rage crackling through my veins like lightning fueled by my hunger. My body lights up with it, the familiar electric-like blue glow spilling across my skin, seeping even through the fabric of the black suit I loathe. The pod marks etched into my body, covering every piece of skin, flare to life, and when the Mal-El crescent moon ignites on my forehead too, I know I’ve passed the point of no return.
I can’t control it anymore. I stop breathing.
“You see? That’s why I told you to keep it quiet!” Bay’s voice rises, sharp and accusing, not even bothering to keep it insideher mind. But all I see is light—blinding, pulsing,burningthrough me from the inside out.
