Page 148 of Wicked Heirs

Not good at all considering this was practice for going against Saryan Hart. He was a brutal, merciless bastard in battle. He didn’t hesitate. I mean, he might go a little easier on her because of how much she meant to his son, but it wouldn’t be by much.With angel magic in play, he wouldn’t want to take his chances like that.

“Continue? To what end, Alena?” Orpheus bit at her. “More of this half-assed performance?”

“There needs to be a balance!” she yelled back, losing her cool too now. Kudos to her, because it had taken her a while to actually snap even a little, despite the energy coming off Ore the entire time.

“You’re ready now. Ready to go beyond issues with control. So what is this all about? Why pull this weak shit now?”

“I don’t want to kill your father!”

“What?”

“I don’t think you understand the true breadth of my power. I need to be very careful when we’re dealing with an opponent who’s not actually an enemy.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re just making excuses.”

“Andyou’rejust being an ass.”

He threw up his hands. “He’s gonna die anyway if we don’t stop him, Alena!”

“He’s not. And if he’s arrested, I’ll get him out. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get your father back to you if things go south.”

“You say that, but all I see from you is the opposite.”

I was about to step in then, but then I saw emotion swimming in his eyes. It looked like he was barely holding it at bay.

Alena noticed too and she went to reach out to him.

“Don’t,” he said, stepping back so she couldn’t make contact.

He cursed under his breath and then he abruptly spun on his heel, then stormed out.

I held up my hand as Alena went to go after him. “Best if I deal with him right now, firecracker.”

“Okay,” she murmured, shoving a hand through her hair.

I smiled at her. “It’ll be okay.”

I could tell she didn’t believe it any more than I really did.

Shit.

As I headed out, using my phoenix senses to track Ore’s path, I pulled my phone out and fired off a text.

Talon:Training took a turn. Going after Ore, need you to see to Alena.

Xavier:Is she all right? Did Orpheus take it too far?

Talon:It was tough, but she’s fine. It’s him I’m worried about.

Xavier:Because you’ve finally recognized that this mission you’re all on is insane?

Talon:Lock it up for a moment, will you?

Xavier:Fine. Why are you worried about him, firebird?

Talon:He got emotional—angry and then really upset.

Xavier:Hell.

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