Her brow furrowed, and I added, “He got sick. I was trying to help him when Thorne caught me.”
Maddie winced. “Yikes. Thorne’s a scary bastard. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know he and Leo are tight, but…” She shuddered dramatically. “His ability creeps me the hell out.”
“Hah,” I let out a dry laugh. “You and me both. We’ve had a few run-ins already, but… so far, he hasn’t been too bad.”
“I guess I should expect that from a girl who just faced off with the metal slinger himself.” Maddie flopped back against the cushions with a sigh.
Then she shot up and pointed toward the window. “Ooh, look! Leo’s shifting.”
I ran to the window and watched in awe.
The transformation was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Leo’s body rippled, muscles shifting beneath his skin, as the first hints of golden fur spread across his form. It was fast—too fast for a normal shift, but that was Leo for you. His clothes tore away as his limbs grew in size and shape, the powerful transformation taking hold in mere seconds. In the end, there was nothing left of the man who had stood there just moments ago, except for a massive, golden lion that now prowled in the yard with the effortless grace of a predator.
My breath caught in my throat. It was like witnessing a force of nature unfold in front of me, and there was something so primal, so raw, about the way his golden coat gleamed in the fading light. I couldn’t help but be awestruck, even as the unease from earlier stirred once again in the pit of my stomach.
“Impressive, right?” Maddie’s voice was quiet but knowing, and I felt her eyes on me, reading my reaction.
“Yeah,” I managed, my voice a little hushed. “I didn’t know it would be like that. He’s... beautiful.” My eyes lingered on Leo’s lion form, admiring the smooth, fluid movements.
“I wanted to be a shifter you know.” Maddie sighed. “I think I would have made a great mountain lion.”
I watched Leo and Slade lead a contingent of soldiers out the gates towards what looked like more smoke in the distance.
“What do you think happened this time?” I asked.
“Probably another fire. Someone’s been going around blasting abandoned buildings in the city. Nothing like the bombing or the attack on the markets. I think they just want to keep the sentinels busy.”
“So why do the Shades have to go too?”
“Extra protection? That attack on the markets caught everyone by surprise.”
“I know, I was there.” I said, my voice flat.
“You were?” Maddie asked. “Holy shit, what was it like?”
I closed my eyes and shuddered, remembering the way my body had fought like a master. It had felt like muscle memory and it scared me, because there was so much of my past I didn’t know.
“It was intense, to say the least. A lot of people got hurt.”
“The fucking resistance man. I wish they would all drop dead.” Maddie growled.
I smiled. “I hear that. But I’m not sure here is much better.”
She grinned at me, “True that,” she said carefully. “Although, I have nothing but faith and support in our lord and master.” She said loudly, like she hoped to be heard.
“Oh yeah. Me too.” I replied. “Totally.” I rolled my eyes.
She nudged my shoulder. “I knew I liked you,” she whispered her voice warm but laced with an edge of mischief.
I couldn’t help but laugh quietly, despite the tension that still simmered beneath the surface. She was blunt, honest in her own way, and I appreciated that—at least, it was a refreshing change from the constant mind games I’d been dealing with lately.
I heard a knock on the common room door, and there was Everly, ducking her soft grey-haired head inside.
“Miss Elira? Are you in here?”
“Evs!” Maddie chirped, springing to her feet. “How are you, my love? Ready to score me some more of those cookies you made the other day?” she asked hopefully, her violet eyes alight.
