The demon’s muscles tremble as he lowers the weapon, but just before it makes contact, a ball of dark green shadows flies through the air, connecting with the demon’s side with enough force to knock the blade from his hands. The metal clatters to the floor as Fenryr’s ear-piercing screech echoes off the walls, accompanied by a wet squelching noise that has my gut churning.

I look to the side just in time to witness Fenryr pulling his arm from the soldier's chest, his skin covered in dark blood and a beating heart clenched tightly in his fist. The soldier’s eyes roll to the back of his head as his body slumps to the floor, a sea of purple spreading out from the hole in his chest and seeping into the surrounding stone.

Two of the demons that were holding me rush to subdue Fenryr, leaving one of my arms unattended. While the remaining soldiers are distracted, I lunge for the one holding my other arm, sinking my claws deep into his arm before slashing the second. It’s only a nick, but it’s enough, and after a few moments, they fall to the floor, immobilized just as the others.

With the last of my strength fading, I push into a sitting position, desperate to help Fenryr. However, when I blink away the haze coating my sight, I find Fenryr standing over the bodies of two headless soldiers, his chest heaving and splatters of dark blood coating his arms, face, and chest.

A low, vibrating growl echoes from his chest as he turns slowly, blinding emerald orbs piercing me through the shadows, promising a painful end.

Fenryr, it’s me. I call into his mind, but once again, he doesn’t seem to hear me. His head lowers as his shoulders hunch, muscles straining with each predatory step he takes toward me.

Fenryr, you have to stop!

Still, my words have no effect. I blow out a sigh, racking my brain for something—anything—I can say to him to bring him back to reality.

I know where Dagny is. I can take you to her.

The green-eyed beast stops dead in his tracks, rising to his full height and tilting his head to the side. “Dagny?”

Yes. I nod for good measure. You want to see her, don’t you? You miss her?

A low whine replaces the vicious growl from just moments ago, and a flash of humanity replaces the mad glint in his eyes. “Take me to her.”

I nod once more, focused on taking deep, steady breaths as I attempt to pick myself off the floor. To my surprise, Fenryr appears at my side, his arm outstretched. “The faster you move, the faster I get to my mate.”