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Chris swiped the water off his cheeks and followed his brothers.
Nick killed the SUV behind the truck. “What was that about back there?” he called, slamming his door.
“Just your brother having a tantrum,” Michael yelled back. He’d almost caught up to Gabriel, and he reached out a hand to grab his arm. “Running? Who’s the pu**y now?”
Gabriel swung around and punched him.
Michael hit him back.
Chris didn’t realize he’d stopped short until Nick appeared at his side. He could hear their breathing, too quick, a rush of air mixed with the rain and the thunder of his pulse. Chris shifted his weight, wanting to interfere, he just didn’t know who to help.
Lightning hit a tree behind the house. Thunder cracked and branches fell.
Chris felt it through the rain. That lightning wanted a target.
Another bolt pierced the ground like a spear of light, hitting somewhere between them and Michael. Another struck the very edge of the porch railing. A small fire flared to life, crawling along the strip of wood.
Chris swore and begged the rain for help. It poured and doused the fire.
“It’s too much,” said Nick. “He can’t control it.” He started forward.
Lightning struck right in front of them. Chris grabbed Nick’s arm and jerked him back. He suddenly felt like a sitting duck.
Michael had Gabriel pinned now, trapped against the ground. Lightning dove through the sky to strike three feet from Michael’s shoulder. It sizzled into the grass and lit up the front yard for a moment.
Nick pulled free. “Damn it, Michael, let him up!”
Michael swore, staring down at Gabriel. “Try that again and see what I do to you.”
“Fuck you,” said Gabriel. His eyes lit with fury.
Nick grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled. Chris helped. It must have given Gabriel the leverage he needed, because he shoved his brother off him and into the grass.
But Gabriel was still drawing power from the storm. Chris could feel it, the way rage coiled in the air, ready to pounce.
“Stop!” cried Nick. “Gabriel—”
They wouldn’t be fast enough. Chris threw his weight against Michael and shoved, driving his brothers back a few feet through the mud.
Lightning sliced through the night to strike right where they’d been.
Right where Michael had been.
Gabriel had found his feet, and stood back from the paved walkway, his hands still in fists. His breathing was quick, his eyes dark. Michael stood beside Nick, closer to the porch, his stance tight, ready for Gabriel to make a move.
Chris clung to the darkness by the driveway, having no idea whose side he was on.
After a moment, Michael straightened. “Was that on purpose?”
Gabriel stared right back at him, baring his teeth a bit. “Does it matter?”
“Yeah,” said Nick. He sounded pissed. “It does.”
Some of the arrogance leaked out of Gabriel’s expression. His shoulders dropped. He glanced at Nick, then at Chris, as if assessing damages.
Then his eyes swung back to Michael. “Not all of it.”
Michael drew himself up, as if readying for another fight.
