Page 169 of The Blade in the Ashes
My Dragon roared inside of me, scales bursting violently through my skin as I met Ayanna’s heavy stare.
Merciless. Knowing. Determined.
She put all her strength into pushing me aside, forcing me to release my grip on Thea.
Forcing me away.
“What have you done to her?” The accusation was a whisper accompanied by the uncomfortable realization that she had known this would happen.
She did this.
Fucking traitor.
“I’ll kill you,” I promised her, the threat laced with an animal growl.
Seeing past that rage was nearly impossible. The beast in me wanted to tear Ayanna apart for her betrayal of Thea and of Athenia. My Dragon wanted her to suffer.
And I intended to see that through, of course, but only after I saved Thea.
I shoved Ayanna’s hand off me, not caring as the woman fell into the rock wall with a hiss of pain. I pushed past her towards Thea to—
Pain.
Complete, indescribable pain.
It shot through every nerve in my body, like an electric storm searing me from the inside out. My knees hit hard on the rock floor, my lungs locking in protest against the magic that was tearing me apart.
Ayanna’s face was expressionless as she stared down at me, holding me in this suspended state of torture while the flames completely consumed Thea. Gasping for air, I stared up at the instructor, seeing absolutely no signs of hesitationor remorse.
Only cold resolution.
Her death would be slow, I decided. Agonizingly slow and unbelievably painful. Done with both my hands and my claws.
“What. Did. You. Do?” I choked out, spit flying as I glared at her, my stare promising a death that would lack any form of mercy.
She looked up at my Goddess, neatly folding the book in her hands. “I did what was necessary.”
Chapter Fifty
Thea
Blinking rapidly, I lifted a hand to my brow, struggling against the searing pain in my eyes as I adjusted to the unnatural brightness.
There was so much light.
Everywhere.
And yet, there was nothing else.
I spun, searching wildly, but Clay and Ayanna were gone. Whirling on my heels once more, this time in the opposite direction, I squinted, searching for something,anything, but there was only this unforgiving, brilliantly glowing light. Above me and below. It coated my skin like mist.
“I must admit I am surprised.”
My heart lurched at the voice echoing both around me andinsideme, and I turned once more, this time locking gazes with a woman.
No, not a woman. A Goddess.
I wasn’t sure how I knew. There was nothing in her outward appearance to give it away. Her short black hair, curling under her chin, and dark, almond eyes looked entirely normal. Her mahogany skin didn’t shine or shimmer with some unnatural power. I didn’t even feel that suffocating amount of power radiating off her that I sometimes felt around Hyrax.
