Attack, Amaya screamed, her voice so strident, tears stung my eyes. Touch you not.
Damn it, no. I pushed to my feet, stripped off my still-smoldering sweater, and dumped it on the ground. The elemental had turned and was walking away.
I cursed and sprinted after it, looping around the left side of the creature until I was in front of it. "Damn it, Tao, listen to me—"
The creature swiped at me again. This time I was ready for it and ducked. The blow sailed over my head, but the heat of its flames was so fierce, it felt like my skin was burning. I backed away fast and kept out of fist range.
This wasn't working. Tao wasn't hearing me. Maybe he was gone. Maybe the creature was too strong . . . I briefly closed my eyes. No. Tao was still within that fiery form. I was sure of it. I just had to find a way to draw him back out. But how?
Last time the elemental had tried to take over, I'd physically dragged Tao into the freezer and doused him with ice—something that was impossible to do out here in the middle of nowhere.
But what if it had been as much the physical contact between us as the ice that had helped Tao get the elemental under control?
No, Azriel said, the same time as Amaya screamed, Will kill.
Fuck it, both of you. Stop telling me what I can't do and start offering suggestions.
Azriel's frustration rolled through my mind, as sharp as Amaya's hissing. You can use Amaya as a shield.
How?
Flames, she said. I eat.
That will kill him, Amaya.
No. Weaken.
Azriel?