Close your eyes

[Phoenix]

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Keeping from distraction was not his only reason for pushing Faol out of his mind. He was trying to protect both himself and her, because he knew if their minds mingled too much he would be thrown off by her emotions, which would only compound in his own mind and echo back to her, overwhelming her even more. As this stood she probably had too much to handle. Phoenix tried to fight down his fear but no matter how rational one could be in the heat of battle, there was always a part of the mind that could not be divorced from emotion. He was afraid, yes, because he did not want to leave his family without a father, or Iskata without a mate. That had happened to him and he’d sworn he wouldn’t allow history to repeat itself, not without a fight to the bitter end. Fortunately Phoenix’s own ignorance proved to be an advantage. He didn’t know his own strength and hadn’t expected to toss Gabriel away with so much force. He didn’t allow himself to be surprised, however. Before the books even made contact with his opponent’s head, Phoenix kicked again to get himself back on his legs. Rushing over before the hybrid could recover, Phoenix leapt back upon him and pinned him down, wrapping his hands around the throat. But he did not make the killing blow, as much as instinct impelled him to. Yes, he believed he would be perfectly in the right if he struck Gabriel down, but that was what separated him from the Inferni leader. He did not enjoy killing. “What th’hell is wrong with you!?” he hissed angrily, squeezing down on the throat a little. Even if he was not a killer that didn’t mean he wasn’t petty enough to enjoy making the other squirm in pain a little. “Don’tcha know you’re hurtin’ Faol?” Without lowering his guard, he took a moment to glance at the female cowering in the corner. Just moments before they had been laughing together… and now this. And it wasn’t over, too, not until her mate snapped out of his berserker rage.

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