Kael was locked in a bloody struggle with Thorne.
They were no longer boys. Twin nightmares of reptilian fury. Bodies twisted by the dragon flesh they'd eaten.
A whirlwind of claws and fangs. Two monsters in a battle to the death.
But they were not equals.
Thorne was a natural. Born for this savagery. Movements fluid. Attacks driven by pure, brutal instinct.
A predator in his element. His laughed as his claws tore through Kael's scaly hide.
Black blood sprayed across stone.
SLASH! ROAR!
Kael was a pretender. A boy wearing a monster's skin.
Strong. Fast. But fighting Thorne's fight. And losing badly.
He was clumsy. Movements lacking fluid grace. A scholar forced into a gladiator's pit.
His borrowed strength was no match for Thorne's innate savagery.
A clawed hand raked across Kael's chest. Sending him stumbling back. A raw, gaping wound weeping blood.
Thorne laughed. Pure, victorious glee. And charged. Fangs aimed at Kael's throat for the killing blow.
