The fire didn’t burn this time.

It consumed. It swallowed. It wrapped around my body like liquid silver, searing without heat, blinding without light.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t scream.

And then hands caught me.

Luka’s.

His claws dug into my arms, his chest pressed against mine, his voice ripped raw as he shouted through the inferno.

“I’ve got you!”

The fire clamped tighter, silver coils wrapping us both, dragging us deeper. His grip didn’t ...