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Chapter 13
ANTHONY
I’d almost killed my brother. I’d almost destroyed our family’s home. And lost my mate. All because I couldn’t control the magic I’d been born with and the rage that had built over the years.
Loud whooshing met my ears. I looked up to see my father flying toward us at a furious pace.
I swiped at the tears on my face and straightened my back before standing and assisting Charity to her feet beside me. Carlak climbed up, too, and the three of us stood watching as Dad descended.
He hovered over us and turned so that we could see Mom on his back, her face aghast. “Oh, my boys.”
She materialized beside us, her arms around both our shoulders. “My big, brave sons. I’m so glad you’re both all right, and you too, dear Charity.”
“Should we go inside?” Charity suggested gently. “Somewhere warm for us non-shifters.”
I turned toward the door, but Mom reached out. “Everyone, hold hands. I’ll transport us down into the dining room.”
Charity grabbed hold of one of my hands, and one of Carlak’s. White light shimmered all around us, then we were downstairs beside the fire in the grate, a bear skin rug beneath us and the dining table nearby.
Mom moved to inspect Carlak, running her hands over his face and head. Charity stood up and shivered. “Well, that was intense.”
I couldn’t help but ask, “Which part do you mean?”
She rushed over to the fire, putting her hands out to warm her palms. “Um, well... all of it, I guess. But that transportation trick of your mom’s is very cool.”
“Very cool...” I repeated, managing to stagger sideways so that I could sit on the large sofa near the fire.
Every part of my body was slow and dragging. Using that much magic to contain and kill the fire felt like it had drained my soul.
The doors slammed open at that point and Dad marched in, wrapping a robe around his body as he did so. “What the hell happened?”
I groaned and leaned back against the sofa. Where to even start?
Mom and Dad got Carlak up and moving, walking around the room. “You okay, son?”
Carlak nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine, Dad. Thanks to Anthony and Charity.”
I gripped my head, then dragged my hands down my face. “The only reason you were in danger in the first place was because of me, brother.”
Carlak turned to stare at me. “I’m a dragon. I know better than to try and charge through an out-of-control fire, then get overwhelmed by the smoke. I could have turned back and headed downstairs to get help. I was stupid.”
My face heated with shame. “You weren’t the stupid one.” I stood up. “I’m sorry, brother.”
I took a step forward with my arms open and Carlak rushed over to hug me tight.
My heart swelled with love for my older brother.
When he pulled away, he smiled softly. “I’m going to rest, then I’ll go home to my wife.”
“You’re gonna leave me with Mom and Dad?” I gaped at him, only half teasing.
Carlak laughed. “You deserve to have your ass chewed out. But it’s not Mom and Dad I’d be worried about.”
Carlak gave a pointed look in the direction of the fire, where Charity still stood.
