Eye of the Storm
Talon
Ilet loose a tired sigh as I gazed across the shimmering black sands of the nether realm. After the funeral, I just had to get away. My dad had tried to approach me several times, and the pressure felt like walls closing in. Thankfully, Dominic and Lucas were always by my side, running interference and recognizing my downward spiral. They were my beacons in these dark times. I couldn’t believe my mom was gone.
Chuffing, I collapsed onto my side, letting the warmth seep into my fur. Upon arriving in the nether realm, all I craved was to shift and be alone with my lion. I could sense Lucas’s reluctance to leave me, but Dominic, ever perceptive, assured me no one would disturb me and gestured toward the area near the purple sea.
At his encouragement, I instantly shifted and ran—ran hard to escape the pain clawing at my heart. I ran until my limbs could no longer carry me, and then I just stopped, overwhelmed by a sense of loss.
Laughter pulled me from my thoughts, and I lifted my head. I should’ve known better than to believe my mates would leave me totally alone. Lucas was on the shore of the water, and he splashed along with another demon, Ez.
Ez was a friend Lucas had made, and the two appeared to be having the time of their life, playing with another creature—a plattag. From what Dominic told me, it was the demon equivalent of a dog. While it stood on four legs and had fur, its eyes blazed red, and it was at least two times the size of the biggest Mastiff in the human realm. Not to mention its razor-sharp teeth and whip-like tail—it was terrifying.
“Lucas really loves that plattag. He’s a big kid at heart,” Dominic said with a chuckle.
I lifted my massive head and looked at my mate. He was in his demon form. Since arriving, that was the first thing he did: transform into his demon. Did he have to? Or did he just want to? I thought.
Dom’s taloned hand brushed through my mane, sending a shiver down my spine. “You are so beautiful like this,” he murmured, his fingers gently teasing a tuft of fur that stood up at the top of my head like a mohawk. “I especially love this part of your mane—it’s adorable.”
I rumbled a low growl, not quite in agreement with being called adorable, but Dominic just grinned wider at my response. The warmth in his eyes told me he found more than just amusement in my lion form—it was genuine admiration and love.
Love. I knew for a while that he loved me, and I loved him just like I had fallen for Lucas. I was just too chicken-shit to vocalize it. I knew I needed to tell them; they deserved to know, but with everything, I hesitated.
Ez’s laughter pulled me from my contemplation. I glanced over to see Lucas, now in his fluffy brown rabbit form, darting around in a playful chase with Ez. Dom’s laughter, rich and carefree, encouraged me to let go of my lion form and return to my human shape.
“He really is a big kid, isn’t he?” I asked as I sat up, my voice still rough from the shift.
Dominic looked down at me, his smile softening. “He is. And I love that about him.”
I nodded, the sand cool under my hands. “I do, too. He’s perfect for us.”
“He is,” Dominic agreed, his tone turning serious. “How are you holding up?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “I’m okay. It’s just been a lot. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Before Dominic could respond, his head snapped up, his eyes narrowing into the darkness. Suddenly, he stood, his form tensing as he let out a protective roar. A fireball blazed across the night sky, hurtling directly toward Lucas and Ez, illuminating the dark realm with its ominous glow.
In a flash, Dominic was beside them, his massive wings unfurling in a protective arc. With a decisive movement, he deflected the blast, shielding Lucas and Ez from the fiery threat.
The scene instantly descended into chaos as minions appeared, their roars and cries filling the air. Dominic was instantly clad in majestic black armor, and he drew two mighty swords from his back and released a mighty battle cry.
Like lightning, his demons, led by Jorin, materialized swiftly, engaging the attackers with ferocious intensity. The ground trembled under the combatants’ feet as they traded blows, each hit echoing like thunder through the realm.
Unleashing a powerful roar that resonated deep into the fabric of the nether realm, I transformed into my lion form. Muscles tensed and ready, I charged into the fray. My instincts were sharp, and my movements were driven by a fierce determination to protect my mates.
Despite our efforts, the enemy minions seemed relentless, their numbers not dwindling. As I fought my way through the chaos, I finally reached where Lucas and Ez were. Lucas, still in his rabbit form, was protected by the plattag. The beast stood like a guardian, its massive body a formidable barrier. It growled menacingly, snapping its jaws at any attacker daring to come too close, its eyes blazing with a protective fury that matched my own.
Surrounded by the melee, Lucas looked up at me, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. The plattag, sensing my presence as an ally, gave a low, gruff acknowledgment before returning its attention to the encroaching enemies.
“There’s too many, my lord,” Jorin called. “It’s Juls, Martag, and Prince Mal’zak’s men.”
Dominic growled as he swung his mighty blades. “Jorin, open a portal, take Lucas and Talon out of here,” Dominic called.
I snarled in protest as I scratched another minion.
“Talon, you have to go, love. Lucas can’t stay here. Take him. Go. I’ll follow. Now go,” Dominic said desperately. “Jorin, now!”
Jorin raised his hand, and the air shimmered, opening a portal that looked like a puddle of moving shadows. I hated leaving Dominic behind, but he was right; this was no place for Lucas. With a reluctant heart, I scooped Lucas up by the scruff in my lion form and leaped through the portal.
Dominic, please be safe,I thought as we hurtled through dimensions.
“What the hell is going on?” Edward’s voice boomed as we landed with a thud in the Pride house’s living room.
“Lucas!” Brian exclaimed, rushing over as I transformed back into my human form.
I groaned from the impact, then quickly gathered Lucas into my arms as he reverted to his human form. “Why’d we leave? We need to go back!” he protested, panic edging his voice.
“We have to go back for him!” Lucas’s plea was desperate.
“He’ll be okay,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
“What happened?” Edward pressed, his tone demanding.
I looked up at my king. “We were ambushed. Several demons attacked us. Dominic got us out of there.”
“We need to go back, Talon. We need to help him,” Lucas pleaded, his voice desperate.
“I don’t know if we can,” I replied softly. “It wasn’t safe to stay.”
“But… Talon,” Lucas’s eyes welled with tears, his distress palpable.
“Jeremy, get Leon and issue an alert through the pride. Have everyone take shelter here,” Edward commanded, then turned to his second. “Walter, contact Reginald Adams of the Hawthorne coven. Tell him I need their assistance immediately.”
Returning his gaze to me, Edward’s expression was resolute. “We’ll see if magic can help us. We’ll fight for Dominic if we have to. You have the pride’s full support.”
I nodded, pulling Lucas closer into a tight embrace, my heart aching with worry. Please, Fate, watch over my mate, I prayed silently as the room sprang into action around us.