"Get on," Sebastian stated.

"Oh my, so you wanted a hug. Damn Seb, you're a bundle of surprises," I retorted while crawling to my feet and slapping a hand on his cold, wet scales.

He hissed. "Do you wish to die instead? I can arrange that."

"No, no, no." I stuck a finger up, waving it around. "Let's succeed and laugh into the night."

Sebastian's back arched, and he lowered himself to the floor. Still, his body was taller than my head, and climbing up slippery slopes wasn't my forte. "Seb, some help here."

"Can't you do anything?"

"You're so mean. I'll cry you know," I sniffled and groaned as I twisted my back the wrong direction. "I'm hurt, be a doll and help this old lady out."

His tail swished to the side, the speed unimaginable at first. I winced, awaiting impact and the sharp pain of talons digging into my body. But the tail slowed, nearing me at a snail's pace with a gentle touch to my soft spots. "You're so sweet."

"Don't test me."

I bit back a retort. Mocking Sebastian was my bread and butter, but returning without an extra hole in my stomach or side was my preferred future state.

His tail scooped me up and placed me on the ridge of his back. Still, I questioned how I'd maintain a balanced position on this undersea dweller. Did he plan to move fast? The mere placement of my body onto his high water repellent skin caused me to slide further towards the ridge in his neck. I gripped what little of his body I could with my thighs, clutching for dear life.

"Seb, I swear I won't strangle you, but let this lady make a harness, okay?"

He sighed, but returned a fair answer. "Fine."

Spindling my dark energy from both palms, I threaded the filaments and extended them into a thick band. The two identical halves flailed as I grew them, but with the length reaching the floor, I directed a burst of energy to control their movements. The fibers rose, seeking each other's end. Another smidgen of energy and the two united.

I pulled on the band and faced resistance. "Okay, ready. Don't get me killed now."

"Shut up for once."

"Fine," I grumbled.

I watched him circle the apparatus once with small movements. Subtle and irrelevant to the naked eye, a low rank Witch would miss his true purpose. Each step he exuded energy, coating the outer housing of Erwin's storage hold. His magical nature drew from his environment—dark mist—prominent for Supernaturals that dwelled at the ocean depths. All the awesome aspects of dark attribute holders combined with the absolute control over water. Together, the two made for one nasty combination, fitting for Sebastian.

His novice dance ended and his frame lowered. Instantly, the air flew past me as we sprinted out of the technology cluttered room. I clung on for dear life, my eyes shut against his scale covered back. Please, for all of Verdina's lustful clubs, don't throw me off.

I winced as glass nicked my face and pecked my body, but Sebastian charged forward. The stomping of his feet and banging of his tail against the steel walls intermingled. Yet, the noise became a silent background as a roaring explosion erupted. The time delayed spell Sebastian created had initialized.

"Seb, no time," I murmured into his back.

The sound transformed into a high pitch screech. I bit down on my lip to subdue the pain shooting from my ears to my brain. The damn noise was ear splitting. Even worse, Sebastian lurched into the wall, almost knocking me off.

I refueled my harness doubling the band and wrapping the new one around my body. Nothing would throw me!

Still, my dark knight pushed on.

My rapid heartbeat chilled. The assimilation of energies was a rare event with the unknown effects. I guess I couldn't imagine or predict the events that would transpire, but to feel the combined energies almost like a living being, my stomach shuddered. The glass had separated us from the danger. How could Erwin be mad enough to concoct such research and plan? Did a loss of power mean death to him?

Crap, this wasn't the time to hypothesize and whine about the predicament we found ourselves in. No, supporting Sebastian took precedence. Ew, what the hell was wrong with me? I sounded like a team player, gross.

We exited the hallway into the prison cell venue. Several of the fallen guards laid sprawled out on the ground soaked in the stagnant water. Blood from giant gashes dyed the liquid a rich burgundy.

I glanced at our potential exit. The ceiling had caved in. Was it from the explosion?

My eyes widened as I saw green streams bubble out from the rubble. The color was almost translucent and faded at the ends. Was this the energy seeping out? Why did the form remain intact? The spell should no longer be constraining and combining the different energies. They should diverge. Wait, wasn't the explosion caused by the spell breaking the energies into their own attributes? What the literal Hell was going on?

We jerked left towards the upstairs platform and I shut my eyes again. Sebastian planned to break through the main entrance. Not that we had a choice, the creeping energy at our tail was a big, ominous presence. Still, imagine the cuts my body would suffer from, the horrors.

Thankfully, I felt the soothing touch of a barrier over my body. I swear my heart fluttered from his protective nature.

In one moment, everything changed. I flung my eyes open gazing into the clear night sky with a new moon visible. From high above, darkness cloaked the immediate land, but beyond was a light scattered horizon.

The wind rushed past us as we fell back to earth. My body flew up, the energy chaining me to Sebastian had severed from the forceful upstroke.

"No!" I screamed from the top of my lungs. Yet, my single word was snuffed.

As if to tease my poor acting skills, Sebastian returned with outstretched talons. Perfect time as he wrapped his claws around my body. I snuggled into his hand, being careful not to jab my face on the too long for comfort nails. Someone needs a manicure.

The surrounding air shifted with an extraordinary amount of energy. I mean, Seb had to carry a hefty weight himself. His obese body would sustain an injury if he didn't time his descent. Yet, he showed his masterful skill by wrapping multiple layers of protection around us, continuing to add them to soften our fall.

The ground neared, and Sebastian landed with a crop of trees cushioning our fall. Branches snapped under his weight and dust intermingled with leaves shooting up. I sneezed once before covering my face and rubbing my nose on his skin. Yeah, I was dumb for keeping my eyes open. A twig could have destroyed a wonderful aspect that made up my existence. But, safety jumped out the door when living was a priority. I wanted to make sure we lived. Wouldn't you rather see yourself die than not? Yup, my train of thought had a whiff of guts.

I tumbled forward as Sebastian released me. His strong grip no longer provided the much-needed stability to stand. I stepped on a log, plunging downwards. Crossing my arms before my face, I face-planted the flattened trees.

"This is what I get for wearing heels," I moaned and flipped onto my back. "Thanks, dear."

Sebastian made no comment, his head craned behind us, his attention drawn by Erwin's stronghold. Flashlights flickered our way, blinding my sensitive eyes.

"What the-"

"Quiet," Sebastian interrupted. "The peace keepers are here."

Great, we landed at the front entrance, not that we had a choice. But meeting Trevor face-to-face when I kind of escaped from jail didn't bode well. What were the chances he'd show one of those handsome and heartwarming smiles and call it a day? Doubtful.

The least I could expect was a slap on the wrist and a cold glare. Perhaps, they'd send me back. Or they'd congratulate me on a job well done. Maybe they'll even throw a banquet for me. Double doubtful.

Yeah, optimism was escaping my spirit at this moment. I wonder where my drive and enthusiasm fled to.

"Do nothing stupid," Sebastian added.

"Seb," I mumbled low and inaudible to the ears of Normals, "you know that isn't going to happen."

He growled, his annoyance flowing to the forefront.

"Careful, you'll get us in trouble."

His snarling desisted, but he elongated to his full height to peer down at us worthless land walkers.

"Stop!" a deep voice ordered followed by the clicking of guns into their ready to kill modes.

"He means no harm," I yelled while shifting to a sitting position.

A shuffle of footsteps and the cracking of branches sounded around me. Beside Sebastian's large body, two men clothed in police wear peeked out. Their stances were attentive and prepared to fight.

"Are you this monster's owner?" one questioned, his gaze flickering between Sebastian and myself. His gun never strayed from my cat's overgrown body.

"Yup, but I wouldn't describe me as such. He'll get mad. And we both don't want him mad, now do we?" I arched an eye at him, watching him squirm under my statement.

"Lanna," Trevor voiced from behind them. He stepped carefully over logs and around snapped trees with August and Park following on his tail. His open coat flapped in the wind, showcasing his sexy broad chest. Yet, his artisan form failed to subdue the chilled gaze directed my way. Forget stormy gray eyes, they were pitch black.

Oh, boy. Here marks the end of my life.