Chapter 23

Jasper

Blood splattered over me like a gentle rain, and Cai grunted as Sergio’s sharpened claws pierced through his flesh.

No.

Cai was a mere servant, but he was mine. And no one touched my things. As Cai’s body fell forward, I grabbed him, checking for a heartbeat. It was there, but weak, far too weak. And yet, something was off in his eyes.

Instead of the glimmers of pain, I would have expected from him, there was a vibrant blue flame and I came face to face with the dragon inside him. The beast I’d been convinced had been driven out for good.

What was the cause of this?

I wasn’t given a chance to ponder it however as Sergio pressed his attack. His claws slashed high and low as he sought to kill my servant. As if I’d let that happen, stepping in front of him, I took the brunt of Sergio’s fury. His claws sliced through my skin and I grunted as his razors hit bone.

“You’re protecting a servant?” He scoffed. “I thought everyone else