Page 158 of House Ignis

Zya purred at Asher's side, her tail flicking with feline delight. She was savoring every second of the hunt.

The feral glint in Asher's eyes made me press my legs together, a different kind of heat rising despite the pain.

The bond hummed with a wicked, dark approval.

"Please—I'm sorry—I didn't know!" Zorian begged, sliding down the wall.

"Hm," Asher mused, standing over him. "That still doesn't give you the right to touch any female."

Then he slammed his fist into Zorian's nose.

Crack.

Zorian’s scream was cut short as blood poured from his nose.

My mouth fell open as Asher turned his head toward me.

“Darling,” he purred, his eyes fixed on mine with a possessive heat that sent a shiver through me.

Gods. This male could command me to do anything, and I'd probably thank him for the privilege.

"Wanna finish the job?" he asked, a sharp, lethal grin cutting across his face. He looked wicked, wild, and—for the first time—entirely mine.

I grinned right back, despite the blood drying on my skin and the dull throb of my swelling cheek.

I didn't care about the pain. I wanted to watch this sick fuck burn for what he'd tried to take.

Asher stepped aside with a courtly, predatory flourish, clearing the path.

I stepped up to Zorian, who was trembling so hard his teeth chattered.

The stench hit my nose instantly—he'd pissed himself. Pathetic. Disgusting.

“Now.” My voice was sweet as poisoned honey as I conjured a ball of fire in my palm.

It blazed almost white, the heat of it singeing the very air between us. "Tell me exactly what a revolting, pathetic fuck you are."

His eyes went wide, his mouth working soundlessly. I didn’t wait. I sent the white-hot flames straight for his crotch.

Zorian’s scream was high, broken, and utterly pathetic.

He collapsed instantly, curling into a fetal position on the stone as the flames consumed their target.

When the flames finally cleared... well, let's just say he wasn't going to be threatening any more females. Ever.

"Now that’ll do," I muttered, turning away from the wreckage.

And there he was. Asher. His dark hair fell over one eye, shadows still curling along his jaw.

And gods, the look he gave me. Smug. Ferocious. Simmering with a lust that made my toes curl in my boots.

My heart pounded, but the adrenaline was finally flagging. A fresh wave of agony bloomed through my thigh as my vision blurred at the edges.

My knees buckled.

I fell.

But I didn't hit the stone.