Bellanca's answering wail cut through even the echoes of Max's vocal rage, bouncing around the stone interior of the cavern in counterpoint. I covered my ears with both hands to block the shriek while she struggled to rise, another down sweep of his massive wings forcing her into the dirt.

"My love!" She managed to raise one hand, to cry out to him but he loomed, a shadow with a blazing gaze, more massive than I'd ever seen him. I shuddered at ...