Page 100 of Mantle

Then he hauled me across the lab with such force that I blew through the walls and out into the surrounding forest, slamming into several trees and downing them.

I choked when it finally came to an end and I laid sprawled on my stomach, choking, and spluttering. He was the only one who could overpower my impenetrable form and actually truly hurt me.

I staggered to my feet, my body burning and in pain every fucking where.

And then I saw Ketheron snatching up Corvin respectfully and dutifully, before they both then disappeared in a burst of teleportation.

I started after them, but collapsed into the brush.

Shit.I just needed a moment.

Just a fucking moment.

19

~Vorzyr~

“You’re doing impressively well.”

I eyed Jaxon. “What?”

“Maintaining control and focus, while not actually shutting out the animal—all as you’re strained emotionally through your worry for Ari.”

“Well, I had a great teacher in you, didn’t I?”

“You were raised as a weapon. I merely demonstrated how to function as both man and animal, rather than as a means to conquer for others. This is you now, not them.”

I stared at him as we strode towardPolaris, the latest place where we’d both scented Ariana, via his familial blood tracking and my dragon-scenting of my love.

“You know? About my parents?”

“Cornelius has filled us in. With the revolution on the brink, he wanted to prepare key figures, while ensuring he kept it quiet to the rest of the supernatural world so that House Titanus isn’t tipped off before Vortimer strikes.” He laid his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You did all the right things. Giving up that key and ensuring your baby brother’s safety were noble acts. I understand what all of this has cost you.Butit’salso given you a great deal. You’ve found your own family who accepts you the way you are, who facilitates your growth. You’ve found the real you, something that being connected to your parents would never have allowed you to do.” He smiled. “And, just so we’re clear, you also have an extended family at your back in me, Ryker, Lucian, and Mia. All three of you do.”

“Even Kai?” I asked, trying to lighten the heaviness a little. I couldn’t get too emotional when we were tracking or it could disrupt my focus.

“Yes. Even that antagonistic bastard.”

“He just comes off that way. That surface attitude is rooted in protection.” And other things, but largely that.

“I know,” he admitted.

“Lucian’s still watching us, huh?”

“Cornelius is. Just Kai now.”

“That choice worked out well. Kai is loving it.”

“The two of them are a lot alike. Magical powerhouses who strive for knowledge and need to be the smartest one in the room to establish their power and feel like they have control. That control? It comes from knowingso much, so deeply… that they understand how impossible it is to evertrulyhave control. And that knowledge hits them harder than anyone. So they strive harder. Kai’s obsessive about it, which can push him toward dangerous choices. Cornelius used to be like that too. But these days? He’s steadier. Calmer. Which makes him the perfect one to understand Kai—and to guide him.”

“Why not Gabriel?”

“I know you’re going to tell him this, so we’ll all brace ourselves for the ego trip, but… we’ve determined that Kai has now surpassed Gabriel Morgan’s power levels. He’s very close to that of Cornelius.”

“What? He’s not of Celestial blood.”

“His workarounds put him on that level.”

“Holy shit… he’s basically achieved what he always wanted… being able to stand against those ofinsurmountable powerthrough pursuit of knowledge to bridge that gap.”

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