“Sometimes they lose interest and decide not to —”
Riordan’s words died on his tongue as the Zarythian leaned forward, its enormous head lowering until its eyes were level with Cadence’s.
A low hiss vibrated the air.
She stared back, unflinching.
Then, without warning, the Zarythian recoiled, its massive form rising as its jaws stretched open, wider than nature should allow.
Callum swore, and Riordan tensed.
“Move, Cadence!” I roared.
She sprang into motion, diving to the side as its head snapped forward, striking the space that she had just occupied. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, cracking stone and flinging dirt into the air like an explosion.
Cadence rolled, her palms scraping against the rough terrain as she scrambled to her feet. My heart slammed against my ribcage as rage flowed through my veins.
The Zarythian’s head whipped around, its eyes narrowed, slitted, and cruel. It locked onto her with terrifying precision, and with a slow flick of its tongue, it tasted the air as though catching her scent.
“Get up,” I said, as if she could hear me through the cacophony of sounds.
“Move, Cadence!” Riordan shouted, echoing my earlier warning.
She moved fast, but the beast was faster. It pivoted, scales rippling like smoldering armor, its coils dragging deep trenches in the ground. It hissed, a sound so low it triggered an avalanche of apprehension inside my chest.
“Come on, Temptress.” Fear tightened my throat as I watched the serpent surge forward.
Cadence zigzagged her way across the ruined earth as it slammed its body down behind her. The Zarythian recovered quickly, striking again, undulating like a whip through the sand. Cadence vaulted over a slab of broken stone, twisting midair as the serpent’s fangs snapped mere inches from her heels.
She landed with a thud, and the beast hissed again, angry now. She pushed herself up and sprinted toward the edge of the arena, but her boot caught on a jagged stone hidden beneath the dust.
Cadence went down. Hard.
The breath punched from her lungs, her knees and elbows skidding against the ground as she twisted onto her back.
The Zarythian’s head reared above her.
“Cadence!” Shadows erupted from my fingertips. But I was too far, too slow.
The serpent struck.
And a wall of stone erupted from the earth.
A massive slab shot up between Cadence and the creature’s descending jaws, slamming into its snout with a bone-rattling force. The Zarythian retreated with a furious screech, its body recoiling in pain.
She stared up at the monster, wide-eyed, as dust clung to her sweat-slicked face. Next to me, Callum sagged against the wall, his fingers digging into the stone until it crumbled beneath his grip.
Cadence’s gaze snapped to the balcony, and Callum gave her a subtle nod, careful not to expose his involvement. My Temptress didn’t waste the opportunity her brother had gifted her as she scrambled to her feet.
“You underestimate her,” I repeated in a poor imitation of Callum’s voice.
He dusted his hands against the fabric of his trousers. “I’m her brother. It’s my job to protect her, so it doesn’t count.”
I wanted to scoff but held back, knowing he’d just saved my mate’s life. Gratitude burned through the frustration, anchoring me as I watched Cadence square her shoulders.
She didn’t run this time.
She turned.
