Page 3 of Hero of Havoc

I need to explain, but it's not about what I need or want in this moment.

She's beyond listening now, and it's all our fault.

Edging around the deep-purple flames, I draw closer, staring down at Ivy's wide eyes that are no longer rimmed with orange; instead, they match the flames that flicker and burn around us…

Purple.

Anguish lies there among it, and it's worse than that fateful night over two years ago.

Panic kicks in, and I move on instinct. Whether she wants my help or not, she's going to have it. I stall for a moment, heat radiating through the room with a different kind of energy as despair lies heavy on my tongue.

Dropping to my knees beside her, I do what I've done every time before and reach for her arms, ready to shake her out of it, but as my hands connect with her burning limbs, heat consumes me. I’m instantly disoriented by scalding heat and burning palms, and I roar with pain.

My chest heaves as confusion swarms me.

Despite the trembling of my hands, I try again. Only this time, it's hotter.

Tearing my hands from her body, I blink at my skin, all mottled from the touch.

What the fuck?

Carnage from behind threatens to distract me, but I ignore it all as I gape at the girl on fire.

I’m helpless.

I'm also a fucking Fire Protector, and her damn flames are harming me.

Squinting at her, I’m certain that she’s not in pain.

Regardless, it needs to stop.

“Fucking help her, Archer,” Teddy snaps from behind me, and I gape at him, eyes wide as I lift my burnt palms. He falters, taking another step back as he shakes his head. His hands are raised, water forming at his palms, only to evaporate in the air before it can even consider affecting the flames. “Help her. We've got him.”

I can only assume he means Reginald, but I return my attention to my mate before confirming.

The entire floor is covered in flames, the heat registering against my body.

“Ivy,” I plead, reaching for her one more time, the burn impossible to contend with as a whimper parts my lips.

Desperation claws at me, my hands wrecked as I sit, frozen in torture as Ivy burns. I choke on panic as water cascades over the room like a blanket, extinguishing every flame as if they never existed. It drenches me to the bone, but I'm thankful as I stare down at Ivy in relief. She’s as soaked as I am, but what startles me is the fact that her clothes are still intact.

That’s not usually the case.

Not that I’m complaining about the blessed modesty.

I glance over my shoulder, confusion taking root.

Nothing makes sense, but as I take in my surroundings, fear burns down my spine.

Hugo fills the doorway, but it's the person standing between the two of us that's more concerning.

It wasn't Teddy's water protection magic that extinguished it all as I had hoped.

It was Leonardo.

He stands smug, one hand tucked in his pocket as he plays with the ring on his other hand, grinning down at us.

“You're welcome,” he says, amusement thick in his tone as he speaks, but I'm quickly distracted by the sound of Ivy whimpering on the floor beside me.