Page 104 of Tangled Hearts

“You need to leave,” he said quickly. “Max, you need to shift into a dragon and fly away with her.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Oria snapped. “I’m not leaving any of you.”

“Max,” he pleaded with me.

You promised. Soren’s voice was in my head. Take her.

Oria took one look at me and she shook her head. “No, Max.”

I swallowed roughly.

Go with him, Sunshine. Gray said. We will see you soon.

“No,” Oria snapped her eyes, filling with tears. “No.”

She stepped away from me.

“We will meet up with you,” Ryder said to her.

“You're lying,” she cried. “I rather die?—”

“No, you need to survive, Heaven,” Ryder said, bringing her in for a hug. “Live for us and for everyone else. We all depend on you.”

“This isn't fair,” she cried into his chest. “I just got you, this can’t be it. Ryder, I need you. I need all of you. Max, please don’t do this.”

She grew more panicked, her rambling increased making me want to abandon this stupid plan.

Go now! Gray yelled. Live, Sunshine. Save everyone. In every lifetime.

Ryder pushed Oria against me. “Save her, brother.”

“I love you, Heaven.” His voice cracked before he ran back into the fight.

“No!” Oria screamed, running after him until one of the twins caught her, telling her something with his hands on her face.

I pushed my transformation before she decided to run after him. It was the quickest I had ever done it. I roared, hoping it would scare the enemy and that’s when I felt someone's eyes on me. The tingle of magic hit me, but it wasn't as painful. Anger in me made me want to spread fire everywhere just to make sure all of Laima’s army died.

Sol! I yelled, hoping to get her attention.

One of the twins pushed her towards me as I knelt down.

“I’m not leaving you, Sor,” she cried. “Don’t do this, please.”

Go now! Ryder yelled.

“Oria!” Laima screamed.

Soren grabbed her, putting her on my back along with a bag.

“Go, Max!” he yelled.

“NO!” she screamed, as I flapped my wings gaining height.

A ball of magic was thrown at me, narrowly missing us.

“Max, you better not leave,” Oria screamed. “They need us!”

I have to, Sol. I was gaining height and I decided to breathe fire onto the enemy and pray no shifters were there. I flew higher and higher, feeling Oria’s devastation and I almost went back for them until we flew past Laima. She had magic in her hands watching us leave. Her fury was palpable, and I knew we had made the right decision.

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