We are at a standoff.
Tyrus lets out a deafening roar that vibrates in my teeth. It’s filled with triumph and excitement. This is the first time he’s shifted, and that’s to my advantage. He doesn’t know his beast at all.
Our flames continue to cancel each other out.
He knows he can’t kill me easily, but he'll be looking for a weakness.
Swinging his massive body around, he alters the angle of his flames. Still attacking me, but now Alexis is also directly in the path of destruction.
NO!
I don't think, just throw my dragon-formed body into the air, wings snapping wide to shield Feniks before the flames hit him.
The pain is absolute. It’s the sound of my own scales melting and the smell of charred meat. I roar, my vision turning white, but I don't move. I am the shield.
—Theo... RUN—
54
Max shifts.
Fuck.
Then dives into the fray.
“No…” Theo gasps. She struggles against the grip I have on her arms.
“Tee, you can’t help them. You’ll just get hurt.” I look at Ludo for support. His beast is rippling against his skin, white coarse hair already appearing on his knuckles.
—Hound needs me—
“Go to him, Lu,” Theo shrieks. “They need you.”
That’s all the urging it takes. He’s off in a flash of horn and fury. Fuck. My mind flashes around like a disco ball but then settles on one thing.
The mission.
“Come on, we’re taking down my mother.”
With one final glance at the melee, Theo allows me to take her around the sides of the ballroom until we’re in proximity to dear Janine. She’s watching the beasts battle with absolute fascination.
Until I stand in front of her, blocking her view.
“Donovan, what are you…oh, you have Theo. Good. Take her to safety, she mustn’t get hurt.” Her eyes widen as I start crowding her, shepherding her into an alcove. She pushes at my chest. “Stop. What are you doing? Stop it, move away.”
The command bounces off me like a pigeon hitting a patio door.
I keep boxing her into the velvet-curtained recess, as behind me I hear roars, snarling and lots of smashing.
“Donovan!” she hisses, her eyes so similar to mine wide and slightly panicked. “I command you.”
Yeah. No, bitch.
“What are you?” she whispers, her back hitting the cold marble panelling.
“Not your son anymore. Touch her, Tee.”
Theo’s hand darts out and grabs Mother’s wrist. She tried to pull away, but I keep her trapped, barely giving her space to breathe, let alone wriggle away.
