Chapter 152

“Sapphyra, don’t do it!” I groaned out, desperate to move in between her and her father, Bayani.

Why did I say those words? Did I really think she would break her number one rule? She’s better than that. I have to believe that.

She gently but firmly pushed me out of the way, coming face to face with Bayani. Ripping off his helmet, she tilted her head and examined him like he was a three-headed snake.

“Demon!” He roared, spittle flying from his mouth, hitting Sapph right in the face.

She didn’t move. Didn’t even flinch.

“Dragon Queen, my beloved.” Barbie cooed, bowing before my mate. “Cyran City’s best and brightest superhero is having one final showdown with her nemesis.”

I hate her. I think I hate her more than I hate Rupert.

“My…nemesis?” The words tumbled out of her mouth like dice being rolled against a hardwood table. They weren’t hers though—nah, too forced for that.

“That’s right. He’s my final gift to you! Think about all the harm he’s done to you. The harm he’s done to the people you love! If you end him now, the city is safe forever.” Barbie slinked behind Sapph, wrapping an arm around her waist as if it always belonged there.

Oh, hell no!

“Get the hell off of her!” I growled with my whole chest.

My tail lashed out at her, aiming for her throat but a faintly glowing blue aura enveloped her. My tail bounced off of the aura.

Dammit! Cheating with forcefields should be illegal.

Sapph looked down at the arm touching her. I couldn’t hide my smile when she sneered and pulled herself away.

“Don’t touch me. I need to focus on the villain in front of me.” Sapph mumbled, tracing a claw down Bayani’s face.

“Sapph, look at me.” I pleaded with her, stepping in front of her. Barbie’s disgust was written in the way her mouth curled. I didn’t care.

“I know you’re happy to be a hero again, I’m happy too but this—” I motioned towards Bayani, “this isn’t you. You’re not a killer.”

Something flickered in her baby blue eyes. She was fighting back, I could feel it through our bond.

“I know I don’t kill people…not normally.” She softly admits, dragging a tired sigh out kicking and screaming.

I shake my head. That’s not good enough.

“No, Sapph, you don’t kill people at all. That is the one hard rule you’ve never broken. Not even for the greatest monster you know…and love.” Her nostrils flared and her bottom lip twitched.

There it is. I knew bringing Wyatt up would stir something.

Barbie ground her teeth together, pissed off enough that the aura around her began to blink on and off like a light switch.

“No!” She cleared her throat, putting on a smile. “I mean, ahem, that isn’t what a hero would do. Heroes stop the villains from hurting anymore people, isn’t that right Dragon Queen?”

“I…yes. That is right.” Sapph's eyes softly glowed an eerie pink color and her voice came out monotone and lifeless.She raised her hand up towards Bayani’s neck, claws extended. “I must stop all villains.”

“And then you save the day and go home and do it all over again the next day! Just like you wanted.” It made me sick listening to Barbie bullshit like that.

“Is that what you really think being a hero means, Sapph?” I crossed my arms and—in a very dumb move—placed my neck on her clawed hand. My throat ran dry the moment I felt a piercing pressure on my Adam's apple.

“If that’s how you really feel then consider me a villain too.” I whispered.

A flicker of fear turned off the glow in her eyes. “What?”

“Go on then, take out the villains in front of you.” I found my nerves and softened my gaze on her. “Because if you’re the kind of hero who kills people, then kill me too—right here and now.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong.” Sapph shook her head, “I would never kill you, Guy.” The way she said my name…I knew I was getting through to her.

“But I have, Sapphyra. I let Wyatt kill three people in front of me.” My hands clenched with frustration at my own shortcomings. “All this time, I’ve been wishing for you to make me a hero again but I don’t deserve it.”

It wasn’t enough.

“I am not an innocent man, Sapphyra.”

“That’s not…you’re just a—”

“If you call me a citizen, you might as well stab me right now.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.” Sapph sighed, lowering her hand. “You’re just a good man in a tough situation.” She offered me a small smile while Barbie huffed and moved behind Bayani.

I should have paid more attention to her.

I thought my eyes were deceiving me but no. Sapphs uniform was finally turning back to normal, though the frown on her face didn’t bring celebration to mind.

“Sapph?” I asked quietly, reaching out to hold her hand. “Have you come back to me yet?”

“Yeah.” Her gaze lowered to the ground and she held her arm for comfort. “Thanks for um, bringing me back.”

She didn’t sound happy about it. Damn.

“I should have known having any of those bumbling idiots around you would lead to this,” Barbie said with a sigh.

Our attention snapped to her and the familiar blades in her hands.

“I guess I’ll have to show you how to be a hero after all.”

And those same blades she held crossed into an X-shape right below Bayani’s chin.

Sapphyra screamed in objection.

But her words were faster than her legs.