Then he saw her. Brandt walked right through the fire, and he had Jade held tightly in his arms. Brandt’s gaze met Az’s.

No. For an instant, it seemed that even the flames stilled.

“I have to do it,” Bastion’s voice was tense. “You know there’s no choice.”

Az’s fist slammed into the magical trap. “Get me out of here, Bastion!”

Sam was dead quiet next to him.

The flames burned higher.

Brandt stalked toward him. Jade’s eyes were closed, and her head sagged against his chest.

Bastard. I will rip you apart.

Brandt lifted Jade and positioned her so that she hung over his right shoulder. “I had wanted her to watch . . .” The shifter began.

“And I want you to beg for death.” Death’s ready for you.

“But I guess we don’t always get what we want.” Brandt’s claws burst from his fingertips. He lifted his hand.

And slammed right against the invisible wall of the cage that had been forged by Angel Dust.

“Dumb ass**le,” Sam’s voice called out. “You’re angel, too. It keeps us in, and you can’t cross it, not unless you break the line.”

Brandt’s gaze dropped to the fine line of dust on the floor. When he looked back up, Az had the gun in his hand. He aimed it right at Brandt’s face. “I’m betting these bullets can get out though,” Az said. He bet they could get out and kill Brandt where he stood.

Brandt didn’t hesitate. In a flash, he hauled Jade in front of him.

Her eyes opened slowly, and, with growing fear, she stared down the barrel of the gun that Az had pointed right at her.

“Go ahead,” Brandt taunted him. “Kill me, but kill her, too.”

Bastion had vanished. The other panther shifters raced for the door. The flames just grew bigger and hotter with every moment that passed.

“Az . . .” He saw her lips move but no sound slipped from Jade’s mouth. Her gaze held his. So deep, so intense.

He lowered the gun.

Brandt hauled her back. The grip he had around her throat had his claws just an inch from her flesh.

“Don’t hurt her,” Az ordered, voice booming.

But Brandt didn’t answer.

“Dammit, don’t hurt her!”

“I wasn’t just using you, Az.” Jade’s words were being swallowed by the flames. He had to fight to hear her as she said, “I was loving you . . .”

Then the flames flared higher. Brandt took her away.

“I am sorry,” Bastion’s whisper filled his ears as the angel appeared once more.

Now Az knew just why the angel was apologizing.

“No!” Az clawed at the invisible wall, but it wouldn’t give. The magic was too strong. The fire burned.

And Jade was gone.

The shifters had split, running away into the darkness as soon as they escaped the growing inferno that was Sunrise.

Brandt moved quickly with Jade and her body bounced and ached with each step since she was tossed over his shoulder like a damn sack. Snarling, Jade kicked out at him. Her nails dug into his back.

He didn’t slow down.

They rounded the corner. Sirens wailed in the distance. Those fire trucks damn well needed to hurry.

“Fire won’t . . . kill him,” she managed to grit out. Her hair dangled over her face as all the blood rushed to her head. “He’ll come after you.” Flames wouldn’t stop Az for long.

“I’m rather counting on that.”

Cocky bastard.

Another turn. This time, she recognized the street. Hard not to recognize Bourbon Street. Partygoers strolled around, laughing, and beads crunched beneath Brandt’s boots as he stalked forward.

“Help me!” Jade screamed through the fall of her hair.

She managed to temporarily shove that hair out of her way and saw two men glance her way. Oh, come on, even during Mardi Gras, it wasn’t cool to just let some ass**le run away with a struggling woman over his shoulder.

The guys realized that. She heard the thud of their footsteps running toward.

“Hey, man, let her go—”

Brandt growled at them, a deep, inhuman growl. “Stay away or die.” She had no doubt that he was flashing fangs.

But the guys didn’t back away.

“Look, freak,” one snarled right back, “let that lady—”

Brandt tossed him away with one hand.

The other guy’s feet beat a hasty retreat.

Brandt dropped her to the ground. As she scrambled to her knees, he stared down at her with eyes that glowed with his fury—and with the power of the beast inside him. “Call for help again, and I’ll cut the head off the first dumb ass**le who comes to your rescue.”