Torrent gave her a light shove which sent her sprawling to the right. She landed a few feet away with her knees on the rug. She felt a sharp pain as she skidded over the woolen surface. There were better ways to get carpet burn. This was not one of them.

There was a loud snarling noise. “You bastard!” Coal snarled as he leapt on Torrent, knocking him back.

“Wait!” Torrent shouted as Coal let it rip. “Let me—”

Julie turned away because the heat was blinding. It was almost unbearable and she crawled further away. It felt like her hair was melting. She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in her hands.

Torrent growled. It sounded like he was in agony. Julie felt sick to her stomach when she smelled burning flesh.

“The female is mine,” Coal snarled.

“I was bringing her back!” Torrent shouted.

Julie opened her eyes just as Coal leapt on the water king. She heard a snapping noise. Coal had just broken the other shifters ribs.

“Stop!” Julie shouted. She could see that Torrent wasn’t even fighting back. He was only trying to block the worst of the blows. His face was contorted in pain.

“Wait,” Torrent growled as Coal advanced. His eyes were dark, she could see golden scales on his chest. His fists were clenched. His mouth a tight line.

“Coal. Stop it!” She shouted but he ignored her. Coal punched Torrent solidly in the face. There was a crunching noise as his nose flattened.

Blood gushed. His hair was singed. His face blackened. Torrent had skin peeling on one of his cheeks. His chest was blistered. His bones were broken. He staggered backwards but kept his balance, which amazed her after the beating he had taken.

“Mine,” Coal snarled. He pummeled Torrent. There were grunts snarls and the sound of his fists connecting with Torrent’s face. It was the most revolting thing she had ever seen or heard. It was so violent. So savage. Blood poured, flesh peeled and split. Bone cracked. Torrent fell to his knees.

Julie screamed. She wasn’t sure whether she was saying Torrent’s name or Coal’s or whether it was just noise but it was loud enough that her throat hurt.

In an almost elegant move, Coal kicked in a swiping motion. His feet connected with Torrent’s head, which snapped to the side. There was a snapping noise to accompany the movement. Torrent slumped to the floor.

“You killed him.” She ran to Coal and beat at his chest. “You went and freaking killed him! What the hell is wrong with you?”

He grabbed her hands and held them. Julie tried to yank them free. Her hair covered her face. She tried harder to escape and failed, looking up at him instead.