Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,171

knocking him off his hooves and finishing the job I should have started earlier. Black tendrils slunk from my Ceraptor in my rage as I used the sharp tip of my horn to slice the Peryton’s throat, his life draining from him in a crimson river.

I didn’t care to watch as his eyes glazed into unseeing orbs, instead turning and galloping as fast I could to my sweet Kitsune.

I slid to a stop as I reached his side. My Ceraptor nickered softly, nosing him gently so as not to cause him any additional pain as I fought to the forefront to shift back. More blood coated my nose, the metallic scent mixing with the fresh fragrance of forest and fauna that was all Hiro, throwing me into a worried rage when he didn’t move. I shifted, uncaring of my nakedness as I dropped to my knees next to Hiro, his shift sparkling over him and leaving him freezing in the snow. I stooped over his gasping form, gently turning him so he was on his back. My hands moved to hover over the gaping hole in his stomach as I stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Hiro!” His name was an airy rasp, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears I could barely make out the gurgle of my name on his lips. “Oh God, I’m so sorry.”

Bloody hell! There was so much damage.

My hands shook as I called on my power, tears leaking from my eyes unchecked. No! This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t be losing yet another person I cared about! Not Hiro! Not fucking now. I-I hadn’t had nearly enough time with him.

“Love… you.” His hand lifted to grasp mine, but he was too weak, and it collapsed back into the blood-soaked snow. “Tell… Nix… too,” he pleaded, and his eyes fell closed.

Forty-Two

Nix

Ishida was thoroughly pissing me off, his cackle grating on my every nerve. I sent another blast down on his head, the flames flickering over the ward he’d thrown up to shield himself, the Harpy, and Emersyn.

It’s not working, I bemoaned in frustration through the link that had been deadly quiet. I hoped Damien would hear me, and I pushed my thoughts hard, hoping to break through to him. I just need to get past the blasted ward!

Cedric lunged for the Harpy, his growl turning into a yip as he assaulted the ward, trying to break it with sheer force.

If we can just crack it, I can get an illusion through, fuck with their heads a little. It might be enough to throw them off their game and get Emy out, Damien projected, sharing what Killian suggested, but the connection sounded like it was coming down a tunnel instead of ringing crisp and clear. I turned to find my Celt, spying him as he dodged a small meteor that fell from the sky, sending an explosion of snow, dirt, and rock pelting against anyone in a twenty-foot radius.

When I was in the cell back at the commune, Ishida had to use keystones to hold his power, Joshua informed us, grunting—his mental voice sounding the same as Killian’s had—as the Dragon screeched and finally fell to the ground, shaking the forest like an earthquake had struck at the epicenter of our battle. Numerous bite marks marred the Dragon’s flesh where scales had been ripped away in bloody patches, the venom burning through the shifter’s bloodstream to stop his heart.

Fuck. Damien and Killian shared a look, one that lit a match of hope in my chest. His sentries!

Emersyn was crying, her small sobs breaking my heart with every single sniffle.

Whatever brilliant idea you just had, do it! I need to get past those wards! I demanded, dismissing the odd connection. I figured it had something to do with so many moving parts and the chaos of war around us.

Killian, take out the Harpy when the ward comes down, but be careful not to hurt Emy in the process. Nix, be ready! Joshua, you’re with me, Damien ordered, and my two mates dashed away, searching the bodies of the dead for a keystone sigil while I took to the skies.

My rage built with every passing moment as I watched the way they mistreated Ryder’s niece, remembered every vile thing Ahmya had said and done to Hiro, and recalled the violation Ishida had been a part of when I’d been kidnapped. He was responsible for so much pain and death, and today he would receive his just deserts.