Page 78 of Doyle

He was standing close enough that I could grab his foot with my fingers. I lunged, squeezed his toes so hard, until I heard a crack.

He yelped and tripped. Something cold and hard fell near my wrist—the keys.

I grabbed the keys, managing to unlock my wrist restraints just as the chamber filled with the heat of Doyle’s flames.

After my hands were free, I worked on my ankle restraints.

I then shifted to my fox form, the transition slightly sluggish but I somehow managed to complete it.

By then, Morgan had recovered. I lunged at him. He sneered, raising his hands to cast a spell, but I was faster.

I darted around him, nipping at his legs, distracting him.

Morgan fired a spell, missing me by inches. I leaped onto his back, biting down hard.

He yelled in pain, trying to shake me off, but I held on, using my sharp claws to tear at his throat.

Finally, he collapsed under me, dead. A sense of satisfaction filled me but it was short-lived. I turned to my mate.

Doyle’s dragon fire had broken the spell circle, and he was free. He turned to face Liliana, flames still dancing around his hands.

"This ends now, Liliana," he said.

Liliana’s eyes blazed with fury.

“You think you can stop me?” she hissed.

I ran to Doyle’s side, relieved when he reached out and affectionately gave my ears a rub.

“Michael, hold him in place for me,” Liliana ordered.

I told myself her words had no effect on me, but my body moved on its own.

Horror filled me as I realized I had sunk my fangs into Doyle's left leg, bringing him to his knees.

No, I desperately thought. Instead of pushing me away, Doyle grabbed my face and looked deep into my eyes.

"Michael, fight her. You're stronger than you think," he said, his voice calm and reassuring despite the pain.

I struggled, my mind a battlefield between Liliana's commands and my will to resist.

I could feel her presence, dark and suffocating, like chains wrapped around my mind, tightening with every second.

My heart pounded as I saw Liliana out of the corner of my eye, conjuring another spell.

I knew instinctively this one was meant for Doyle, and it would be deadly. Liliana was done playing around.

"No!" I screamed internally, digging deep for any scrap of strength I had left.

Doyle's eyes never left mine, full of unwavering trust and love. It was enough to ignite a spark within me, a reminder of who I truly was.

The control she had over me began to waver.

I felt the chains around my mind start to crack. With every ounce of willpower, I pushed back against her influence.

My body trembled, muscles straining as I fought to regain control.

Liliana’s eyes narrowed, realizing what was happening, and she poured more of her dark energy into the spell, but I refused to yield.

---