He didn’t give a shit about the male’s words either. He snarled, wanting him to shut up, to move away from his mate.
“Leave,” he ordered.
“Carlo, we need to go into the portal and save Asherah.”
No. He needed his mate right now. The fact anyone would try to stop him pissed him off. Fury rushed in next, and his wolf pulsed to the surface. As the bones in his face popped and twisted into a muzzle, he took one threatening step toward Teague, Kallan’s partner for the trip. The Unseelie with the purple flecks in his eyes didn’t have a weapon at the ready, but his voice was good enough. His gift of song granted to him as a bard could obliterate an opponent.
“Bring it, you fucking fairy,” Carlo forced through clenched teeth. “I said for you all toleave.”
“Carlo,” Nanshe whispered, but Carlo shook his head.
“I’m snapping necks next.”
Kallan jumped in front of Teague. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Carlo thrust Nanshe away and leapt for the Fae. He froze in mid-air, muscles clenched, teeth bared. A shocked gasp filled the silence.
“It’s the portal. I’ve stopped him for now, but barely. Get him calm.”
Fighting against the control, Carlo swung to the final member of their party, Lennox. He’d forgotten about the threat behind him until the mage spoke. He snapped his teeth at him.
The Trinity Council member didn’t back down. He lifted his palms at his sides, fire sparking, his white hair alight with embers. “Don’t test me, wolf. I may not be a shifter, but I could burn you away if you push.”
Carlo was stronger.
“She ismine.”
“What the hell, Carlo? We know that. No one is trying to take your mate.” Teague held out his hands in a placating gesture.
Carlo shook his head.What is wrong with me?
“It’s the magic in the portal, the Chaos.”
Lennox lowered Carlo to the ground, and Nanshe pressed her fingers against his face, forcing him to look down at her.
“It’s reacting to your fear.”
It doesn’t need my fear to do anything to me.
“I’ve never seen the Chaos Realm react like this. Bring about fears, sure but not interact. Look.” Lennox motioned to the portal, even as he stepped closer. It was no longer just purple and blue with the center of black. It now had dark red and gold pulsing through it.
Kallan stared. “What?”
“Carlo, I told you it’s not what it seems. Please.”
“What?”
She sighed. “Stay calm, control your emotions, and it will settle.”
Lennox looked over at her. “How does a wolf have control over how a portal reacts?”
Nanshe turned in Carlo’s arms, smiling in silence.
“Ah, you can’t answer that, but we can tell there is importance here.” Lennox eyed Carlo executively. “I’d like to see more. Do as your mate suggests.”
Carlo breathed deeply, pushing out the lust, anger, and fear as best he could from his veins. He couldn’t get the emotions to disappear, but they just simmered below the surface instead of consuming him.
And damned if the portal didn’t change.
