Page 23 of Burn of Obsidian

Axel moved to Jax’s side. “Fuck, are you seeing this?”

Shadows crawled across the Veyn’s body, hiding its back end while the two front claws dug into the ground. It released a sound like a howl, the shadows moving until nothing but its shoulders and elongated head were visible.

The dark vapour sought the fresh wound, swirling around until the skin appeared to heal layer by layer. Within seconds it was covered in armoured scales, the damage mended without a trace.

The shadows continued to crawl, and after another blink the Veyn disappeared entirely.

“What the fuck!” Axel cursed, turned to check behind him. “It’s – ”

Jax burst from his skin, allowing his beast to finally take shape, but not control. Shifting was both agony and ecstasy combined, but there was a familiarity as he settled on all fours. Jax stretched his paws, scratching the pavement beneath him with claws twice the size of a lions.

His eyesight changed, the textures becoming more defined. It made it easier to distinguish the different shades, to peer within the shadows. He found the Veyn crawling up the wall, nothing but a shimmery silhouette. So even in beast form the Shadow-Veyn was glamoured, which made it a big fucking problem.

Jax didn’t give it a chance to escape, bouncing himself off the wall with enough momentum to launch himself up. His claws scraped against the Veyn’s scaled back, unable to break through. With little grip Jax opened his jaws, and clamped down. Spikes tore through his gums and roof of his mouth, but he refused to let go. The Veyn barked in pain, its grip on the brick failing as it fell back to the ground.

There was a flash of fur in his peripheral, and then Axel joined the fight. There was a scramble, the Veyn trying to fight off Axel while violently rolling his body. Jax grunted as the weight landed on him, teeth clamping down hard enough to finally pierce through the scales. He felt his shoulder dislocate, the pain searing agony through his left arm. But he still kept the pressure.

Blood coated his coat, glistening against the scales beneath him. The vapour that floated against the Veyn’s skin tried to heal the wounds, his teeth starting to tear and shred at the holes he’d made. The mist danced around his muzzle, so cold it was little pinpricks of ice.

‘What are you waiting for? Go for the throat!’ he snarled to his brother, his jaw beginning to tire. But he couldn’t let go, not when he felt it weakening. Muscles trembled while blood continued to gush between his teeth. The scales crunched, ripping at his gums while the fucking healing vapour continued with its frostbite.

Axel turned to snarl, his beast vicious. ‘What the fuck do you think I’m doing?’ He was much smaller than Jax, but quicker. He dodged the Veyn, teeth bared as he waited for the opportunity to strike.

The Veyn rolled, this time pinning Jax against the wall with his entire weight. The momentum yanked Jax’s fangs from its body, and as soon as it was free the vapour was there to heal.

Fuck’s sake.

Careful not putting any weight on his left leg, Jax snapped his jaws. The Veyn hissed, backing away as they both stalked it toward the end of the alley. His mouth tasted of blood, both his and the Veyn’s. It trickled from his muzzle, leaving little droplets behind.

Axel brushed along his side, claws scraping against the concrete. ‘Ready?’

Not giving the Veyn another chance he launched himself, this time aiming for its throat. His teeth sunk in, jaw aching with how hard he clamped down. The Veyn reared up in a screech, and that was when Axel caught the other side. Blood squirted, bleeding far faster than the vapour could even attempt to heal. Within minutes, it collapsed, and Jax tore at everything he could. Piece by piece fell away, and he didn’t stop until he’d ripped straight through.

A hand dug into his scruff, yanking him back.

“Come on J, shift back,” Axel said, having already returned to the man.

Jax shook himself free from his brother’s grip, his mind becoming sluggish. He was falling asleep, and if he didn’t change shape his beast would take full control.

‘YOU GO NOW?’ Beast asked with a happy purr. He was pumped from the fight, and Jax knew if he allowed him control he’d continue hunting.

How long has it been since Jax properly slept? Days? Weeks?

“I said shift.” Axel shoved at him, causing pain along his dislocated shoulder.

Jax snarled, warning his brother to back off. Axel had no dominance over him, not when all the Guardians were equal. Everyone except for Riley.

“Seriously J, I need to take a look at your injuries.”

Jax sat on his hind legs, panting. The front of his chest stung, the fur sticky.

“Aww, looks like I missed the party.” Lucifer stalked over, and Jax’s beast let out a little grumble. “Yeah, yeah. You want to eat me, but I’ve already told you, you’re not my type.”

“He won’t shift back,” Axel said, dragging a hand down his face and smearing blood across his skin.

“Yes he will, because if he doesn’t, I’ll go visit a certain faerie,” Lucy warned. “Maybe I can retrieve your wallet…”

Jax snarled, calling to the power that changed him from one shape to the other. Within a single second he was the man.