Page 129 of Phoenix Rise

I’m still sparring with my new tutors, but I’ve latched onto one, and I can’t get my beast to let go. I don’t know why.

Her panic was part of the problem, I was sure.First, breathe. I’m here.

Okay. Breathing. Still not helping.

You have to get pissed. Really pissed. Tap into your inner bitch.

My inner bitch is the problem.

No, that is your beast. Different bitch. We need the other one.I opened the floodgates along our link, pushing her not only support, but my own energy.

I sensed the tremor of interest from her beast.

It likes you, but it craves energy. And Cass is tasty...Her desperation carried through her words.

I’m your mate, Anna. Prime rib rather than stewed beef.

Okay, food analogies are not helping. And what are you doing?

Just a bit of come-hither distraction. Now think about Darius stealing those children, tap into your inner bitch, and yank her off that Bellati.

Got other things to be pissed about,she stated.But it’s feeding the wrong bitch.

For her, there was her beast, and her inner alpha. Her emotion fed whichever was in control at the time. But what she needed to hear was,Well, empower the right one, then.

Could she do it? I sensed Anna struggle to divert her rage, using it instead to awaken her alpha self. Meanwhile, I continued to dangle as bait.

The beast couldn’t focus on two things at once. It made a grab for the energy it most craved—my own. When I withdrew the offer, it pursued along the link.

Anna grabbed the tendrils and ripped them away from the Bellati.

I hadn’t realized that her beast could pursue like that—it latched on, unable to feed as it could when she was in contact, but still pulling energy from me until Anna gathered herself around it and forced it back.

You okay?she asked.

Still have wings, so I won’t answer that. How is your Bellati?

A hesitation.He’s okay, I think. A bit drained. And more than a bit—um—stiff.

You have that effect on a lot of guys.I found myself stifling a stab of jealousy.

Only screw the best of them, though,she answered. And sent a pulse of lust that almost took me out at the knees.

Bloody good thing I’m not flying,I said breathlessly.

She laughed, which translated along the link as a shiver of pleasure.We’re heading back. Cara says that’s enough excitement for today. But apparently, she’s getting me some armor after the run. Care to join us?

And miss out on fight class?

Oh—I know you love fight class.

Love you more, Angel. Count me in.

She withdrew, and I looked up into Lucas’s unusual eyes.

Anna did need me. And she needed everything I could bring to this world.

I looked down at Dragon feet that would never run through the forest as they once had.

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