Page 124 of Beneath the Flames

Smoke curled from my snout in anticipation.

But then she spoke, and I was suddenly frozen in my tracks.

“I’m not giving up, Rhydian.I know you’re in there.”

I couldn’t move.My very bones locked up.Something about that name had every inch of me pausing, but how could that be?I stared at the human, fighting to understand this infernal magic holding me against my will.

One blink and a sharp shock of recognition sliced through my mind.

But the next it was gone, disappearing like the ash floating toward the moons.

Whatever was holding me momentarily captive released, and my fury was too much to contain.A plume of fire erupted from my mouth, aimed at the girl.Who did this human think she was?

The boy snapped up a shield of golden light just before the fire engulfed the two of them, and I was slightly disappointed that they weren’t burned to a crisp when it dissipated.

The girl glared up at me, unwilling to back down.A strange feeling of delight pulsed through me, but I pushed it away.I would not allow anything to distract me.Not when I was finally free.

“Iwillsave you,” the girl said before she finally gave into the boy’s pleading and turned and ran, disappearing over the side of the mountain.

Save me?Save me?

There was nothing to save.I was already free.I roared fire at the starless sky.

And soon, all of Avalea would know it.

They would remember my name.

Kharos.Beast ofEroth.

To be continued...