Once Bitten, Twice Burned (Phoenix Fire #2)(33)
Author: Cynthia Eden

Her hands were between them. The fire burned from her fingertips, and Sabine shoved a ball of flames right into his chest.

He fell back, tumbling down the stairs, and the fire consumed him.

Don’t think. Don’t feel.

But it was the first time that she’d ever killed anyone. Bile rose in her throat.

This is what I’ve become.

Sabine swallowed. Pressed a quick hand to her bleeding wound. Her first kill, but not her last. She still had a job to do. Her target. Sabine turned around and with shaking, now bloody hands, she shoved open the metal door that led out of the stairwell. Find the target. Kill him.

As she headed down the hallway—one already reeking of blood and death—a tall, dark-haired male rushed from one of the offices. His face was locked in tense lines of fury, and she recognized him instantly from his photo, even before she saw the flames in his eyes.

Cain O’Connor.

He’s the one like me. Another phoenix. Another who could die and rise and kill with fire.

He was the one she was supposed to destroy. She wasn’t even sure how that was really supposed to work. Could the fire of one phoenix kill another? Because if it couldn’t, Sabine was figuring that she would be pretty well screwed.

Body tensing, Sabine let her fire out. Not just a little ball this time. She wanted to be safe. A circle of flames wrapped around her as the power of the beast that lurked inside began to push past her control.

Through the flames, her gaze met O’Connor’s. On a sigh, she said, “I’m supposed to kill you.” What if her flames didn’t work against another phoenix? How would she take him out then? How would she protect her brother?

But he shook his head. His hair, a little too long, brushed over his shoulders. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

Laughter broke from her. “Of course you are. They’re all here to do that. To kill me, again and again.” Her chin lifted. She could do this. She had to do this. “Only I’m tired of dying. Maybe it’s your turn now.” His chance to face the fires of hell. Sabine lifted her hand and sent a line of flames racing toward him.

But the guy gave a little wave of his hand and her charging fire just . . . stopped.

Her lips parted. He’s stronger than I am.

No strain showed on his face at all, and smoke just drifted lightly in the air.

Her stomach knotted. The fear that twisted in her gut wasn’t for herself. I’m sorry, Rhett.

Cain held her gaze. “You’re not the only one who’s tired of dying,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling.

Her lips trembled. The fire was all she had. But maybe . . . I can find another weapon. There were dead guards in the stairwell. They had guns. She’d get one of them. A gun, a knife, something. If the fire wouldn’t work against him, then she’d just find a weapon that would. Sabine turned and ran back for the stairs. As she fled, more screams seemed to shake the walls of the facility.

All of the beasts were out. The guards couldn’t control them. Couldn’t stop them. This place would be destroyed around her. She had to move fast.

Her hand reached for the door, but then she was grabbed again—another prisoner?—and jerked against a hard, male body.

She screamed and twisted and managed to break free. She spun, tossed out her flames—

And saw Ryder’s face. The face that had slid into her mind so many times. The face that had helped her to stay sane. Her only constant. Her only hope in a world on fire. Her eyes widened. He’d come back for her. He’d kept his promise. “Ry—”

A roar shook the hallway. The fierce, bellowing roar of a beast. Ryder tried to pull her away with him, but the stairwell door burst open and hit Sabine, tossing her back. Then a man was there, blocking her path. With just one look, she knew that something was very, very wrong with the guy before her.

There was a wild, stark fury in his eyes. His muscles bulged, far too big and heavy, and giant claws ripped from his hands. Those claws—they were coming at her.

She’d heard about wolf shifters, tales of werewolves who walked the streets. When the supernaturals had come out into the open, the wolf stories had started flying. But from all that she’d heard and seen before, werewolves weren’t supposed to look like this.

She tried to scramble back, but Ryder was there, jumping to protect her. To shield her.

Then the man’s claws—is he a werewolf? What else could he be?—slashed across Ryder’s throat. Her vampire fell to his knees even as Sabine screamed.

But the werewolf was already facing off against new prey. He’d turned his focus to the male phoenix, and he was rushing forward in an attack.

Sabine grabbed for Ryder and gasped when she saw the damage. The bastard had almost cut Ryder’s head from his body. Not just a slash . . . not just . . .

Carefully, so carefully, she cradled his body. “You aren’t leaving me now,” she told him. “You can’t. Please, Ryder, I need you.” Without him, she was lost in this paranormal world. He was her only confidant. The fierce monster who’d vowed to give her freedom. But he was more than a monster. So am I. Bending over him, Sabine put her throat against his mouth. “Drink from me.” What if he was too far gone? Don’t leave me. Don’t.

He—

He was drinking. His teeth had punctured her flesh.

Sabine’s eyes fell closed. Her vampire was strong. Far too strong to ever give up so easily. Tears pricked at her eyes. The tears slid down her cheek. Fell on Ryder.

The tears weren’t from pain. I’m not alone. Ryder will stay with me.

He shuddered beneath her and continued to drink.

Her eyes opened and she stared at the scene in the hallway. She wanted that wolf creature dead. He might wear the body of a man, but she’d seen into his eyes. Only a beast had stared back at her.

If Cain didn’t kill that monster, she would.

Ryder’s lips brushed over her neck. “Missed . . . you.” He pushed against her.

She pulled away and stared down at him in surprise. His neck—how had it healed so quickly? Even with her blood, that level of healing was amazing.

Impossible.

His gaze narrowed as he stared up at her. “Did you . . . cry for me?”

She felt the wet tracks on her cheeks. Sabine nodded. In her twisted new world, he was her only constant. The idea of losing him had terrified her. It still terrified her. She needed to know that Ryder would be there for her.

His hand tightened around her wrist. “Don’t ever cry for me again. Don’t ever f**king cry for anyone.”