“Clear!” Gabriel signals Reuben and even from here deep within the trees Reuben’s voice can be heard, reverberating through my bones.
“Move in!”
His men scream behind him and if I could, I would fucking laugh. They’re expecting us anyway—screaming bloody murder is very much Reuben’s style.
And it is every bit the adventure I remembered watching through the screens—back when I was alone and filled with bitterness, wandering the streets with only the cold for company.
It is every bit the adventure I yearned for then.
But there is no cold this time, with Xavier and Gabriel flanking my sides, covering my back.
And there is no insufferable loneliness clouding my heart as we sprint into enemy territory in a bid to protect what’s ours.
In a bid to protect my second home.
The three of us are the first to enter the building, tearing through like a storm that can’t be stopped—
And straight into the line of fire, by a handful of men on the upper floor.
“Fucking hell—”
Before Gabriel’s thoughts have fully made it past his lips, I’ve shifted again. This time into a large black hawk. I make my body as big as I can, extending my wings and releasing a loud screech that grants us at least a few more moments, until the enemy masters their shock.
I rise into the air, grabbing Xavier and Gabriel into each talon before taking off towards the upper floor. They both spit and scream curses beneath me, but still, they manage to fire off shots at the enemy, cutting down at least a handful before they can return fire.
By the time the enemy gathers their bearings, it is too late.
I shield Xavier and Gabriel with my wings before dropping them onto the first floor. They’re still spitting curses, but they are quick to adapt; they roll and take cover masterfully, firing well-placed shots into the enemy line.
I return to my smaller form, into the tiger with terrifying claws and teeth, and my paws haven’t even touched the floor properly before I’m sprinting forward, roaring my newly discovered war cry.
It is a one-sided massacre, yet more men trickle in from the rooms on this level. Reuben’s voice carries from the ground and by the sounds of gunfire, I know he’s dealing with even more of them.
Let it not be said we were underestimated.
There are only three enemies left when I realize I’ve gotten too far from Gabriel and Xavier. When the fight has placed them out of my sight.
And when I find myself staring down the barrel of a shotgun.
My bloodlust extinguishes like a candle, gone out by the gentlest breeze, and suddenly, the sound of gunfire and fighting is much too far.
I don’t even hear when the shotgun fires.
The bullet pierces my leg, driving a roar of pain from my lips. I’ve been caught off-guard, thrust into a memory that should have nothing to do with this moment.
I hear Reuben’s voice somewhere far away. Gabriel’s. Xavier’s.
But the man before me takes up the entire world—his face blends with all my nightmares.
With the face of Geoffrey Nash.
Suddenly, I’m there in that room, watching a hole tear through Christian Adler’s chest.
Suddenly, I’m there again, losing my home, staring down the barrel of the shotgun.
The world is slow. My ears flatten to my head as fear hammers through my chest—a fear that shouldn’t make sense.
I stumble—limp—from the new wound in my leg and the next shot whizzes too close to my eye. It tears past my shoulder, grazing my fur and drawing a hiss from my jaws.
