No one had a chance to react because I was already in motion. My power hit the Empress's hard, dividing her shields in half, wrapping around Sunny with a fist of rainbow light. She stared at me in horror, shaking her head, but it was too late.

"She's under my protection," I snarled.

Piotr flashed his fangs at me, actually nervy enough to take a step toward me, the pathetic, whining creepsalot. "Release her," he said. "This is none ...