I glance to the side, trying to get a sense of what’s going on, but Carina pulls the gun Raiden gave her loaded with anti-shifting darts from her hip before I can utter a word. Firing off a few shots, she grunts as someone lands a hit and drops it in favor of shifting. Moments later, a dragon with scales that glitter like rubies knocks several bystanders out of the way. Without a sliver of remorse or hesitation, she releases a stream of fire, clearing the area around us.
My heart hammers in my chest, but I try to keep my head. Bringing my scales to the surface, a little of the tension eases, knowing I have the additional layer of protection. Static crackles along my skin like a livewire, ensuring that anyone that tries to touch me will regret it, and buy me time to escape. A flash of wings in the corner of my eye has the building anxiety ebbing before it can build, Raiden, Kodi, and Stone vaulting over the sides of the arena at the first sign of my distress.
Surrounded by them, I’m able to let my guard dowe enough to figure out what the fuck is happening. Peering around Stone’s back, I clench my jaw at the sight of dozens of people attacking all throughout the crowd. It’s a madhouse, men defending themselves and their mates against the assault, others trying to get to the exits. Safe in the confines of the circle my mates make, I study the attackers closer, trying to understand what they’re hoping to accomplish.
If they’d killed my mates, they’d be the ruling body of shifters. But if they slaughter the bystanders of the tournament, the best they can hope for is a body count and claim that an event we organized wasn’t safe.
Unless they knew it was being televised live.
I shake off the thought before it gains much traction in my brain. Barely anyone knew of that aspect, and I trust those that did. The more likely option is they’re trying to create a distraction. Whether that’s to take a shot at me or something else is yet to be determined.
“Raiden?”
He doesn’t turn around, but he does take a step back, wrapping a wing around me and curling me into his side as he scans the chaos unfurling in front of us. “You’re not hurt, are you, love?”
“Nope. You?”
Warmth seeps into me, his silent attempt of comfort. “We’re fine. Just some fights breaking out in the stands.”
“That’s pretty convenient,” I murmur, rising on my toes and trying to peer over the top of his wing.
“Agreed.” His hand settles on my hip, pulling me against him as he stands sentinel.
A few grunts surround us as Kodiak, Stone, and the security act as a blockade, fielding scuffles that get too close. It makes me feel like a real jackass, doing nothing as people are getting their asses beat around me, but I try to give myself some grace.
As soon as I start to justify hiding, I grimace. Whether I signed up for it or not,everyonein this stadium is my responsibility. It doesn’t matter if they’re stronger than me or even want my help. I invited them here, and it’s my job to protect them.
“Raiden?” Waiting until he faces me, I ask, “Where’s Carina?”
I watch his pulse stutter in his neck, whipping his gaze around to find his sister. In his distraction, his wing slides back enough for me to see the utter devastation that’s being wrought in the stands. The majority of people have shifted, going for the kill in an effort to defend themselves. But there are several that are actively working together to defend a weaker class of shifters, guiding them to an exit and fending off attacks.
“She’s fine,” Raiden murmurs, trying to convince himself more than me. His gaze is rooted on his sister tearing people apart at the seams, enough heat emanating off of her that it creates a barrier people can’t breach. Carina’s a force of destruction, holding her own and swooping in to save people that are outmatched.
And it’s killing Raiden to simply stand by and watch.
“Go.” My voice is little more than a whisper, but I know he heard me by the way he stiffens.
“You’re my priority. My mate,” he growls, frustration evident in his tone.
And who can blame him? It’s an impossible situation. The sister he’s sworn to protect, his mate he’s obligated to defend, and all of the citizens counting on him. He’s being pulled in too many directions, and it’s not fair. Anything he chooses results in someone that doesn’t deserve it paying the price, but I can make the decision a little easier.
“And I can just as easily hide behind Stone,” I argue, giving him the permission he needs to alleviate his guilt and jump into the fray.
“Swear you’ll-” he cuts off with a strangled sound, launching into motion before I even know what’s happening.
He’s halfway to Carina before I see the guy picking up a gun from the floor, aiming it at her head. Both she and Raiden turn to him simultaneously, twin streams of fire racing toward the man.
But not before he whips his arm to the side, holding Raiden’s gaze with a smug smirk as he pulls the trigger, aiming right at me.
My heart skips a beat and I try to drop, but someone crashes into my back and sends me hurtling forward. A shock of bespeckled white feathers dives in front of me the moment before the bullet hits. Avery slams into my face, knocking me back into the bleachers, and I scramble to catch her.
The metal edge of the bench digs into my ass as I spread Avery out on my lap, heart thundering in my chest at how still she is. Relief slams into me like a freight train as I see the small orange tuft and yank the dart out of her, beyond grateful that it was the gun Carina dropped when she shifted instead of a bullet. The tranquilizer will likely knock Avery out for a while, but it won’t kill her. Hopefully.
My hopes quickly shrivel up and die as the weight on my lap increases, the unconscious falcon slowly morphing into a dark haired, completely naked woman.
ChapterTwenty-Three
RAIDEN
