Fury beat at Jade. Brandt had taken so much from her. Too much. “No more,” she gritted and the fire seemed to burn beneath her skin. Burn, burn . . . Her fingers heated where she touched Brandt.
He slowly turned his head to look at her.
She lifted her hands and stumbled back. They were so hot they burned. I’m burning. “No. More!” She yelled and a ball of fire shot from her fingers—and flew right at Brandt. The fire slammed into his chest and the scent of burning flesh stung her nose.
He fell down, flames eating at his flesh, screaming.
She grabbed for Tanner and hauled him to his feet. “Get Cody!” That demon had better be alive. He’d saved her before, and now they’d damn well save him.
Tanner nodded and hurried toward his brother. The cuff banged against his wrist as he lifted Cody and rushed for the door.
Jade followed on their heels, moving as quickly as she could—
“No,” Brandt’s growl. His fingers, blistered, singed, curled around her wrist, and she felt the lick of heat scorch her from his touch. “You’re not getting away from me that easily.”
Body tensing, Tanner glanced back at her.
“Get him out of here!” She yelled at Tanner. She could summon more fire. She could attack Brandt again. Dammit, she wouldn’t be afraid.
Not anymore.
Tanner slipped away with Cody.
At least they’re safe.
Brandt yanked her against his chest. The fire had melted away his shirt and the flames had charred his flesh.
But—but that flesh was healing before her eyes.
“Aren’t you full of surprises?” he murmured as he bent his head toward hers. His breath, carrying the scent of ash, blew lightly over her face. “Since when can my human play so well with fire?”
“Since someone was willing to risk his life for me. Since he gave me life.” And didn’t just try to destroy everything she had.
The faint lines around Brandt’s eyes tightened. “You think he’s so damn special, don’t you? But I know what he’s done. I followed the blood. He’s hurt you.”
“No.” Her chin lifted. “Never him. He wouldn’t. Az isn’t like—”
He yanked her up against him, and her toes left the floor. “Me?” Brandt finished, the word a savage snarl.
She nodded.
“So I’m the f**king bastard?”
Yeah, he was.
Brandt shook his head as if denying something to himself. To her? “You loved me once.”
This was it. The moment that she’d known would come. Jade stared him in the eyes, refused to let the fear take her, and said the words she knew would break him. “And now I love him.”
She expected an eruption of rage. An attack. Jade would take the pain. It would buy Tanner and Cody the time to flee. Buy Az time to get out of that Angel Dust trap.
But Brandt didn’t erupt. He pressed his forehead against hers. “That’s a mistake.” His lips feathered over hers. Gentleness that she knew cloaked a killing rage. She could feel his fury, feel it even as—
He slammed her head into the nearest wall.
“You can’t love a dead man.” His whisper followed her into the darkness.
Flames danced around Az. Bright, dark, gold, and red. The fire was so hot that it scorched his skin.
“I can’t believe this is happening again,” Sam snarled from the trap just beside Az. “This is it—my next club will damn well be fireproof, no matter how many witches I have to hire to enchant the place.”
The sprinklers installed in the ceiling of Sunrise had shot on moments before, but they couldn’t stop the blaze. Especially since the fire just flared higher and higher because the shifters were pouring liquor everywhere. Soaking the place and growling in triumph when the flames burned brighter.
Those flames were rushing across the wooden floor toward Az now.
So close, but not close enough. Not yet.
Come closer.
Through the smoke and fire, he caught sight of Tanner’s tall form. The shifter was carrying something—someone? Someone who wasn’t moving.
“Jade!” Her name burst from his lips, but Tanner didn’t slow down. The shifter swiped out at two attackers who lunged for him, and then he raced outside, away from the flames.
“I’m sorry, Azrael.” Bastion’s voice came from beside him and barely rose over the crackle of the fire.
“Don’t be sorry,” Az snapped right back at him. This wasn’t the end for him. “Just get ready to collect all the souls I’m about to send your way.”