Phoenix glared, fire flickering in his hands. “Your faith in him, after what he did to Allison, astounds me.”
I stiffened, blood roaring in my ears.
“You know what he is, Thorne. You watched himbreak her mind.” His voice dropped, low and vicious. “You think Elira will survive him any better?”
“Phoenix—”
“Does Allison mean so little to you now?”
The words hit like a blade under the ribs.
“Enough!” I roared. Power lashed out of me, striking him hard enough that he staggered back, clutching his head.
Guilt coiled hot in my gut, but I didn’t move.
“You’re my brother,” I said, low and savage. “Same as Leo. Same as Slade. But if you ever bring her up again—”
“I won’t forget her," he said through gritted teeth. His flames licked hungrily around his body. “And neither should you.”
We stood there, locked in a standoff of grief and anger, until the wild howling from the woods snapped the world back into focus.
I spun toward the trees, heart hammering.
“Was that—”
"Shifter wolf," I said grimly, drawing my sword. "Yeah."
"Headed this way?" Phoenix asked, already tensing for a fight.
Another chorus of howls shredded the night air, closer now — too close.
I spat a curse. "With a couple of friends."
"Fuck." Phoenix cursed low, flicking his hands toward the fire. The flames snuffed out instantly, sinking into his skin, hisbody taking on a molten glow as he let the inferno inside him rise.
I reached out, extending my power like a razor. I found the approaching figures by the heat of their minds — flickering, hungry things. With a flick of my wrist, I slammed mind-numbing agony into the nearest ones.
In the dark, a scream tore free, raw and broken.
"Five, maybe six," I said, reading the battlefield in my head. "More closing in."
Phoenix spun to face me, a wild grin splitting his face, fire dancing up his arms.
"Let’s remind them who they’re dealing with, yeah?"
The corner of my mouth pulled into a grin — sharp, feral.
Finally, something I could tear apart without guilt.
"Gladly."
Chapter 19
Elira
I beat that damn bag like my life depended on it. I could sense Slade’s gaze on me from the back of the arena as he ran the other recruits through their practise. He had healed quickly, as most magicborn did, but even he wouldn’t have sparred with me today.
I was falling apart.
