Laughter erupted from my chest, wild and thunderous, as I watched Marcus crash through the trees like a broken javelin. Branches snapped. Bark exploded. Dust and leaves scattered in a chaotic storm of his descent.
"That looked like it hurt," I muttered, grinning wide.
Silver screeched beneath me, wings flaring out.
I leaned forward and gave the mental command. Instantly, he caught the wind and rose, our crimson mist swirling violently behind us. The higher we soared, the stronger the gales became, and soon we were circling like vultures above the crash site, the mist trailing us in a bleeding spiral.
Below, Marcus stirred, debris tumbling off his body. He stood up slowly, blood streaking down his chin, eyes burning with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at me and bellowed, "What kind of man hides behind a beast?! Fight me on your own, coward!"
I chuckled and crossed my arms, standing effortlessly on Silver's back.
