Page 76 of Fated for his Flame

Then, very slowly, Caine tilted over. He crashed to the ground, eyes going blank.

I was on him in a flash, my claws ripping a scale from his upper neck.

The crowd roared.

I shifted, reaching down with my right hand to pick the scale up.

“It’s over,” I said as Caine came to, shaking his head. I held up the scale for him to see.

He glared and looked ready to attack, but a whistle from where the sovereign stood stopped him. Furiously, he shifted back as well. A giant welt was already forming on his jaw. I grinned, walking over to him and tossing the scale at his feet.

“It’s done,” I said. “Over. No more of your bullshit between our houses.”

Caine stared at the scale, then threw his head back and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I snarled. “You just lost in front of everyone.”

“It’s far from over,” Caine said. “I’m going to destroy your entire house. All of you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You just lost, Caine. Give it up. You have nothing left.”

A wicked grin spread across his face. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“Then I guess you haven’t been to see your precious little human recently, have you?”

I stiffened, suddenly all too aware of where Seth and the rest of Caine’s family must be.

I spun, eyes searching for Caleb. I would need his help. He saw my face and instantly started barking orders, even if he didn’t know what was going on. Opening my mouth, I tried to tell him we were heading to the palace.

Before I could, something dug deep into my back.

“Never turn your back on me,” Caine snarled as he stabbed me with the very scale I’d ripped from his body. “I am your end.”

Fury over his actions mixed with fear for Chloe’s well-being, and I lost control.

Reaching behind me, I pulled the scale free from my back, grimacing against the pain as blood flowed down my spine. I would heal, but flying would be agonizing until it did.

“I’m so done with you,” I said to Caine in a tired voice.

Then I spun, whipping the scale across his throat and opening his neck to the spine. Blood erupted in a welter of gore. Caine fell to the ground, eyes wide with shock as he feebly grasped at the mortal wound.

The crowd lost their minds.

Crouching low, I gritted my teeth against the pain as my wings burst from my back. I would pay any price to get to Chloe in time. Pain was the least of my worries.

Without a look back, I shot into the skies with once focus and one focus only.

Her.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Silas

“WHERE IS SHE?”

The words were out of my mouth before I even landed on the palace roof, my dragon’s roar booming across the flat stone surface.

---