I scowl, planting my hands on my hips as I square off with them. “When have I ever failed you?”
Their narrowed eyes bore into me, suspicion and distrust apparent in their expressions. I shift my gaze to Penn, the one I once considered a friend. “You doubt me?”
Penn doesn’t immediately respond, but the tension between us speaks volumes.
“Why are you late?” he replies instead.
“Oh, I don’t know. A sadistic vampire held me captive for days, feeding from my blood, pain, and misery?”
Demitri, unaffected, glares at me. “Where is she?”
“Who?” I say, playing dumb.
I’m pissed at them, and in turn want to piss them off.
Alexander shifts in an instant, his midnight-black dragon beautiful and deadly. Snorting, he advances on me, and I sense several of the pack drawing nearer. Shit.
I can’t let this situation get out of hand.
Where the fuck is Nesrin?
She’s good at placating dickheads.
Me . . . I’m good at taunting.
“You know what we’re talking about,” Demitri growls. His own body shimmers blue with his dragon scales, obviously feeling the pull to shift, but Demitri has more control than Alexander.
As my anger continues to simmer within me, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, heightening my senses. My heart pounds fiercely, echoing in my chest like a war drum, while the muscles in my body tense and prepare for action. A mix of frustration and betrayal rises within me, fueled by their lack of concern for my safety or well-being. This only flames the fire burning within.
“You can easily match them in power,”a voice whispers in my head.
“Yeah, and what about strength?”I retort.
I know I can take them. But without any of Nesrin’s pack getting hurt? Yeah, I’m not taking that risk.
“Stop being difficult, Ashwiyaa. Gives us what we came for!” Demitri snaps, his command rolling over me.
Unable to contain my rage any longer, my bratty side takes over. Without a second thought, both of my hands shoot up in defiance, my middle fingers extended in a blatant gesture of disrespect. It’s an immature but satisfying reaction, a visual representation of my pent-up frustration and anger toward their obvious disregard for me.
With a swift, almost-silent motion, Alexander unsheathes his gleaming, razor-sharp claws. As they slice through the dirt, the ominous scraping sound echoes, and they leave deep gauges in their wake. The air crackles with a charged energy as he stalks closer.
I lift my chin defiantly, my anger and resentment igniting a searing fire within my chest. Shadows gather at my feet, dark tendrils curling and twisting like living entities, responding to the threat in front of me. They form into wisps, then solidify into serpentine shapes—snakes of pure shadow, their sinuous bodies coiling and poised to strike. The air thickens with tension, the darkness around me coming alive as my magic prepares to defend.
Alexander steps closer, his eyes narrowing as he observes the swirling shadows. His black wings spread wide, casting his own shadow over me in a show of intimidation. His posture is confident, unyielding, as if he expects me to back down. But I’ve known him too long to be frightened by his presence alone.
“You’d really kill me?” My voice is low, a growl rumbling from deep within my throat, the words laced with equal parts disbelief and anger. “We’ve known each other for two hundred years, Alexander.”
For a moment, his expression flickers, the briefest hint of something—regret, perhaps—crossing his face before it’s gone, replaced by his usual stoic mask.
The shadows around me pulse with emotions, the snakes hissing in agitation. But Alexander doesn’t flinch, doesn’t retreat. Instead, he stands his ground, his dark reptilian eyes locked on mine.
“Well?” I snap.
A primal roar erupts from his throat, echoing through the forest. Leaves rustle, branches tremble, nature itself holds its breath.
I don’t take my eyes off Alexander, but I know Demitri has a hold on Penn. My magic rises swiftly in retaliation, black mist pouring from my body and rolling over the ground, engulfing the area. The mysterious golden bands cover my body, glowing and shimmering on my dark skin.
“Ash, we are on our way. Don’t do anything to provoke them.”Kai’s firm voice resonates through my head, soothing the ache in my chest caused by these three asshole dragons. I’ve been so consumed by my anger I didn’t sense their approach.
