her thighs, her knuckles turning white. The giant black snake moved with impossible speed and smooth

rophobic canopy of t

a sprawling settlement appeared. It was a chaotic mix of massive stone cave

slithering toward the

beneath her vanished, replaced by hard, hot muscle. Amon caught her per

the clearing, holding he

pped dead in their tracks. When they looked at Amon, Cather

r eyes shifted

harply. The air suddenly felt thick, hea

rty, but her pale skin, delicate features, and the sheer novelty of her appeara

dy turned

nd. It was the warning hiss of a lethal predator. He shifted his stance, pulling Cat

w. They stumbled backward, their faces pale, but their greedy eyes kept

large group of people hurried ou

red man wearing an elaborate fur cloak.

tive stride. Instead of rushing directly at Catherine, he barked an order over his shou

hurt. He took a step back, his golden eyes flashing w

ement. Amon felt her flinch. His jaw ticked. He forced himself to sto

wn eyes, and a nervous energy about him. He carried a woven pouch smel

lose enough to smell the sweet, pure scent radiating from Catherin

leg. "I... I just need to che

ng, but he slightly shifted his gri

green light bloomed from his fingertips. He gentl

instantly vanished, replaced by a s

he concentrated. A moment later, the green

nd pity. "But... her body is incredibly fragile. There is absolutely no energy fluctuatio

. To the surrounding males, her utter lack of magical signature didn't signify weaknes

nto a low, excited murmur. The absolute lack of power t

on and reached out, trying to grab Catherine's hand. "Beautifu

r skin, Amon's hand shot out. He slapped Bar

front of Catherine, shieldi

mon's chest. "Amon! You cursed, cold-blooded monster! Step asi

Amon like a ph

ed so hard his knuckles turned stark white. The violent energy radiating from him vanished, replaced by a su

n. He raked his eyes over Catherine's hidden form. "Father is right. She's too fragile. Sh

lexing their muscles, some even partially transforming their arms i

ive, suffocating testosterone in the

ure around him was plummeting, frost forming on the dirt

her chest. She hated bullies. And she hated that the man w

reached out and grabbed Am

s golden eyes wide with shock as he stared at her small

ack. She locked eyes with Barrett, then

loud, but it cut through the noise like a knife. "He saved m