My heart stopped as he fired.
The shot cracked like thunder.
My gaze shot to Auntie Mei in horror, but...it was Dillon who dropped to one knee. He barely made a sound as his right hand spasmed and dropped his gun, his left hand flying to the hole in his shoulder.
“Dil!” I tried to get free to go to him, but Lucien snatched me like a beast. “Dillon!”
Blood bloomed dark and fast across his jacket, droplets splashing against the ground. He clenched his jaw, breathing hard through his nose. Locking down his pain, he grabbed the gun he’d dropped and pointed it at the leader. “You’re a dead man.”
Two men on either side of the leader raised their weapons. Glowing red dots appeared on Dillon’s forehead as they aimed.
“WAIT!” Shoving Lucien off me, I tripped toward Dil and flung my arms wide, protecting him the only way I could.
“Rook!” Dillon tried to push me aside. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Protecting you.”
“That’s my job! Stand down.”
Lucien roared and crashed into me, placing me behind him again, forming a wall in front of Dillon. “ALRIGHT!” Lucien roared with barely-leashed violence. “I’ll do what you say, alright? Just stop fucking shooting everyone!”
The leader inhaled as if everything was Lucien’s fault, but he did lower his weapon just a fraction. “I’m unsure if I believe you.”
The bond between us pulsed with hate. Every ounce of Lucien’s frustration slammed into me as he sank inside himself and hunted for his missing fire.
His fury burned hot enough to incinerate every last one ofthem. If he could tap into the same catastrophic power that he had on the mountain, they’d be pillars of ash—
He sagged as the flames failed to respond.
I rested my hand on his shoulder, sharing his grief.
It’s okay.I pushed the thought toward him.We’ll just go with them. As long as we’re away from those we care about, everything will be okay.
He stiffened.Do you honestly think they’ll stay true to their word? Can you trust them not to hurt everyone the moment we let them take us?
My heart ached with sorrow.No, but...what other choice do we have?
The leader clicked his tongue in impatience. “Still not walking, Ashfall? Fine. More encouragement it is.” He swung the pistol in a lazy arc, aiming once more at Auntie Mei. Her cardigan had soaked through with crimson as she fought to stop her husband’s bleeding. Uncle Wen’s face had gone ghostly pale, grimacing in pain.
“No! Please.” My voice broke in horror.
Whisper let out a deep, guttural snarl that rattled the very wall beneath the invaders’ feet. Exploding forward, he raced toward the man threatening everything.
The leader smirked and pointed his gun straight at the attacking panther. “How about that. I’ve always wanted a nice rug.”
“WHISPER!” Lucien bellowed. “Don’t—!”
Chapter Eight
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE, Whisper disobeyed.
He bolted toward the wall, gauging the distance to jump—
A single shot fired.
Nooooo!
Something snapped inside Lucien, ricocheting down the bond and making me stumble.
