Phoenix Rising (Page 9)

Power went to people’s heads, he was well aware of that fact.

Robert was sitting up now, his face twisted into a sneer as his hands fisted. Scraps of his pants stuck to his blistered legs. Devon pulled Cassie out of the way and enfolded his body over hers to shield her from the rock Robert heaved at them. It smashed into his back and pushed him forward. Julian jumped over them and deflected the next rock that was thrown at them.

Cassie’s head was bowed beneath him; her golden hair tumbled over her face and shoulders. He felt the brief press of her lips against his neck as she spoke. "I’m ok," she breathed. "We have to fight them together Devon. I’m ok."

Though the last thing he felt like doing was releasing her, not when he’d just gotten her back, he knew that he had to. He unfolded from her and reluctantly released her. She turned toward him, those strange eyes aglow in the dim light, but there was something else in them now. A new fire, a new light. Her hand was tender as she stroked his face. Devon’s heart melted, he grasped hold of her hand and clung to her. He was desperate not to lose this connection, not to lose this human side of her once more.

Love briefly shimmered within her gaze as her hand curled around his, and then another rock was heaved at them. Her eyes darkened as rage took over. "Cassie," he whispered.

She shifted her gaze and focused her anger entirely on Robert and the rest of The Elders. "I will destroy them."

Devon reached for her again, but she’d already moved away from him. Zane had regrouped himself; his arms were folded over his chest as he studied Cassie. Devon recognized that look and he bristled as Zane perused her with a keen interest and lust that hadn’t been there before.

He stepped forward to block her from Zane’s rapt attention. "She is not Anastasia," Devon snarled.

Zane’s mouth quirked in amusement but his gaze didn’t leave Cassie. "But she will be a fine replacement."

Cassie broke into loud laughter as her eyes scanned over Zane with utter disdain. "You couldn’t handle me," she told him.

Zane’s eyes sparked with annoyance, he shifted slightly, but no one heedlessly rushed forward. He was interested in Cassie, but he wasn’t reckless, or foolish. None of them were. In fact, most of them looked as if they would prefer to retreat. Robert, having regained his footing, appeared to be the only one eager to renew the fight as he glowered at Cassie.

"I do not wish to destroy such a masterpiece, but I will if I have to," Zane purred.

Cassie’s mouth curved into a cruel smile as her head tilted to the side. "I already told you, bring it."

Devon stifled a groan. "Cassie," Julian cautioned.

Her gaze didn’t even flicker to him as she remained fixated on Zane. For the first time, Zane didn’t appear fearless. As the oldest, Zane had always fancied himself indestructible, but he’d never come up against anything like Cassie. The fact that Zane didn’t know what to make of her was starting to rattle him.

Zane turned toward Robert, who was still scowling. The burns on his legs had already begun to heal but his clothes were charred and his hair was singed at the edges. Robert’s eyes were a malignant red as they returned to Devon. "Do it," Zane commanded.

Before anyone could react, Robert leapt forward and cleared the hole within the asphalt in a single, flawless bound. Cassie and Devon lunged forward to stop him but they were too late as Robert seized hold of Adon and twisted his neck abruptly to the side. The crack of vertebrae shattering rent the air. Under Devon’s control, Adon had never had a chance to react to Robert’s rapid and brutal attack.

Dani and Annabelle gasped loudly as they scrambled to get out of the way. Cassie got to Robert before Devon could, but it was already too late as Robert finished ripping Adon’s head from his body.

Cassie recoiled in revulsion; her hand flew to her mouth as she took a staggering step away from the vicious assault. For the first time, Devon realized that he hadn’t lost her as her humanity blazed to life in the face of such brutality. Devon snagged hold of his brother as Robert carelessly tossed Adon’s head away. A sadistic grin spread over Robert’s face as he turned toward Devon and braced himself for his attack.

The battle was renewed as everyone burst into motion. Satisfaction filled Devon as he smashed a fist into his brother’s face. Robert’s punch connected with Devon’s cheek. A loud grunt escaped Devon, but he managed to keep hold of his brother. Robert swung at him again, but Devon seized Robert’s fist and met his gaze straight on. Though he’d never thought he’d be the one to destroy his brother, he now felt that it was only right, only fair.

He felt the demon surge forth again as the keen edge of bloodlust took him over once more. It wasn’t like before though, he wasn’t buried beneath the raging demon. Not as long as Cassie was by his side again. Even if she was different, it didn’t matter. She was back, and she was alive, and that was all that mattered to him.

Robert’s face twisted into a leering grin. "I’ve waited years for this little brother," he hissed.

Devon smiled back at him. "So have I."

CHAPTER 5

Cassie dodged Zane’s lunging grab and laughed tauntingly as he grunted in frustration. His cool demeanor slipped away as his face twisted into a sneer. Though Zane was quickly losing his patience, he was wise enough not to rush at her again.

He tilted his head to the side, his reddened eyes narrowed as he examined her. Cassie stared back at him, waiting to see what he was going to do, but Zane remained unmoving. "A fine addition," he murmured.

"I am no one’s addition," she told him.

"We shall see."

A surprised shout snapped her head around as Julian lunged forward and propelled Bernard into the ground. Elspet and Octavia had joined the battle, but Anastasia remained as still as a statue amidst the fray. Matthew also stood to the side, his hands enfolded, and his brown eyes intent as he watched the battle. A strange, small smile twisted his full mouth. Cassie was unnerved by his strange behavior and calm demeanor in the midst of the battle.

Elspet and Octavia dodged past Julian and Bernard and honed in on Melissa, Chris, and Dani. Wrath boiled hotly through Cassie as Octavia used her ability of telekinesis to lift a large boulder off the ground and heave it at Luther. It slammed off of his shoulder and spun him around before he fell to the ground.

For a moment it felt as if the roots of her hair had caught on fire as molten lava surged through her body. She glared at Zane as her hands fisted at her sides. His amusement was back; his honey eyes twinkled as he studied her. "Oh yes, a fine addition."

She was taken aback as she heard herself issue a violent snarl. She knew what she’d become, knew what she was now, but she wasn’t used to it. She wasn’t used to the hunger and power that now coursed through her body. And there was so very much power now. She could feel it in every cell, every nerve ending, and every synapse that still fired through her. She didn’t know what her full capabilities were yet, but she did know that they were numerous.