Page 117 of Hero of Havoc

“Teddy,” I breathe, clutching his arm as my mother's cackle burns through the air.

“Do you think your siren call works on me, little boy? Try again. How about when you do it, we have a little wager. If it works, you get to see me do what it is you're asking for. If it doesn't, I get to burn you at the fucking stake.” Her voice deepens, the threat clear as she vows to cause me pain at the hands of my hated mate, and my heart lurches in my chest.

“Teddy, please,” I insist, but he shakes his head.

“I’m not trying to use my call on you. I'm trying to protect my mate from the woman who is supposed to be shielding her along with me,” he growls back.

“But the grounding came into effect, didn't it? Hence your eyes. How does it feel to be so… erratic?”

It's like she's taking pleasure in the moment, and it infuriates me.

“Mom,” I start, but she’s locked on Teddy at my side.

“I wonder how you would compare to losing it altogether,” she cackles, a ball of flame appearing in her palm, but it's not orange, and it's not purple.

It's green.

I move on instinct to protect my hated mate as the green flames swoop through the air, slamming me in the chest with a harsh rumble.

A scream tears from my lips as the world dances in green, the scent of fire growing stronger as the flames lick across my skin, the first to have an effect since I was made a Fire Protector.

My throat burns with agony as my mother's cackle howls in the air.

I can’t fight it as it consumes me, the world nothing but endless green as my screams grow louder, the bruising down my spine forgotten as pain rips through every one of my nerve endings.

It’s too much.

More than too much.

But as quickly as the thought enters my mind, it dissolves into darkness.

I plummet into the depths of death, the shadows consuming me with ease, and it’s refreshing.

For the first time, I accept it, inviting it into my very being as the screams stop.

Anything to make the pain stop. But with every ounce of agony that is eliminated comes the understanding that I'm dead.

Free falling.

My eyes blur, the sensation offsetting, until the desire to pry my eyes open is unbearable, and I have to.

Fear clings to my lungs as I find myself hovering an inch above my lifeless body.

My chest aches as I gaze at Teddy's distraught face, his fingers curled into his messy blond hair, and I feel like I’m on fire all over again.

Our dismay is met in equal and opposite measure by my mother, who squeals, deliriously happy at my demise, all while I remain lost to the reality that is my life.

Death.

Not once.

Not twice.

But three times.

And two of those times have been at the hands of one of my parents.

Invisible tears swirl inside of me as Teddy snarls.