“Parker?” she whispered, holding Zale in her arms, wrapped in a bundle of cloth and fur. He was so f*****g close, my heart faltered. I stepped forward as the beast roared, ready to attack.
“No!” I called to it, making it pause.
“I get Zale first,” I ordered. My shadows paused their obedience to the beast, waiting for the tension to snap.
They would back me if it came down to it, but the beast was not directing any hostility toward me. His giant body hesitated as he eyed me and then Adrenna with a snarl.
“He listened to you?” Adrenna asked, her voice shaky as she eyed him again.
“I’m guessing that’s part of the balance. I let him out, I got him back here—he owes me. He helps me get Zale back, and we’re even,” I said. The beast grunted in agreement.
“If I give you the child, he w
