When she drifted closer, Shadow’s power whipped up behind me, and I knew he was about to do something stupid. No doubt because he was pissed about me being a few steps in front of their group. With that in mind, I gave into Inky’s nudging, backing up a few paces to stop just before I touched Shadow—the fortress was almost complete, and I wouldn’t be the reason they had to start all over again.

“My memories of you are fond,” Dannie continued, “but I’m no longer the Dannie you knew. I have a mission now, one that is essential in controlling the balance on a larger scale. A scale that will ensure the yin and yang of the universes are never in jeopardy again. In that regard, no fond memories will save you.”

Len sighed dramatically. “I really miss the days when the bad guys just tried to kill you without pretty speeches. If you’ve heard one, you’ve heard them all.”

For some reason—probably stress—that struck me as extra funny, and I barely managed not to laugh out loud and make the situation worse.

Dannie’s eyes flashed, and when they filled with red and gold flames, it was a reminder that this was Shadow’s mother. Not that he appeared to care as he wove a prison to steal her strength. Dannie also had zero fucks to give about her son, since she was clearly about to attack him.

Her timing was excellent, with the seven only a few strands away from having a complete fortress. If she shattered it now, they’d be destroyed.

I couldn’t let that happen.

In a split-second decision, I decided that it was on me to be the distraction.

Stripping off my clothes, I allowed my wolf to surge up, and with her change came the flames of Nexus power. This burst of energy drew Dannie’s full attention, just as I’d hoped.

Shadow roared my name, but we were fighting to win here, and that required all of us to play our parts. This was mine. Cage her, I shot back at him, hoping those words would get through our bond.

“Thread faster,” he shouted. “Reinforce it for the final transition.”

Since I’d heard him, so had Dannie, who immediately lost interest in my flaming wolf, focusing her attention once again on the circle of power. She went for them, ribbons of energy building around her as she prepared to attack.

Nice try, bitch, but not on my watch. My wolf shifted direction, and when Dannie floated over the land, I launched myself at her. If I could give them a few seconds of time, it might be the chance they needed to take her down.

Come on, wolf. Let’s do this.

45