The Beast roared inside me, fighting to come out, but I locked down every muscle.
My head flew back with her second kick a split second later, and then she kicked my chest, sending me flying into the trees.My back crashed against the ground, and I bounced a couple of times before sliding to a stop over the snow-covered grass.
Natalia landed over me, crouching while wild cheers and applause roared behind her.
Sensually grinning, she looked down at me, flaming wings dancing behind her and making her look like a goddess.
I was left speechless at the sizzling, dangerous beauty who had done what no other ever could… steal my heart.
Andbeat my ass.
Leaning in until our noses almost touched, she pinned me with her fierce gaze. “Never look at me again like there is something I can’t do.”
My lips stretched into the most brilliant smile I had ever given her. “Yes, ma’am.”
Watching her stand, I accepted the hand she offered and rose to my feet, but with the presence of her fire, another power burst from inside me.
Fuck.I mentally growled. I’d let my guard down.
Fur rippled over my arms and my hand—still in hers—transformed into the Beast’s with obsidian claws extending past her wrist.
Startled at my sudden transformation, Natalia gasped, staggering back.
She’s not going to hurt me, you bastard!
Deadly fire…The voice in the back of my mind reminded me.
Unable to stop the shift I felt my arms and legs extend within seconds, my head grew into the werewolf’s, and my clothes vanished into its spell until the Beast towered in front of her.
“I wasn’t going to hurt you…”Natalia’s saddened voice echoed in my mind, and for the first time in my life, I hated that part of myself.
“I’m sorry… It’s him.”
“Yeah.”
Disappointment briefly crossed her gaze, but she immediately masked it, turning around and returning to the clearing.
22
“Fire!” I shouted from the clearing while André flashed through the trees, and Natalia chased him along the sky.
A blue stream shot from her palm toward him, reaching his venom-coated skin in seconds. He turned to escape her, but the blaze licked his elbow.
“Gotcha!”Starlight shrieked, exhilarated.
“Retrieve!”
With my order, Natalia turned her hand, calling back her power. Her fingers closed slowly, each pulling back the force she had unleashed, and the threads of fire united on their way to her, entering the other hand she placed before her.
After countless attempts, we’d finally found a way for the force not to affect her when it returned to her. The more she practiced, the smoother the exchange became. Her palms were the conduit, so as long as she was able to wield her power through them, she was in full control.
“Fire!”
Natalia whirled in the air, going after Dante who used the shadows to hide him, in an attempt to catch her off guard.Unfortunately for him, her instincts were on fire—pun intended. Natalia was doing a great job at anticipating his attacks, which gave me great pride.
Dante disappeared before her fire could reach him, but the joke was on him, that shot had been only a distraction.
A wolfish smirk pulled at my mouth when she shot again, her blaze reaching the spot across as Dante materialized. Natalia’s hand had been poised to the place where she sensed he’d return.
