Just a few hours before, my partner and I had been wrapped in each others arms, asleep. Now, in this small room, I was watching my partner get beaten. My anger and fear started rising. Frantically, I started pulling at the restrains that bound my wrists to the chair. The restraints had started digging into my wrists. Light iridescent scales now covered my face, arms, and legs as my anger rose. I felt powerless in my chair. There was nothing I could do other than watch helplessly and scream at the people to stop hurting him. Rage and fear started coursing through my body as Angelo had been shoved to the ground and kicked repeatedly. The woman standing behind him, Lusamine, grabbed his throat and lifted him up, wearing a smile of pure delight. Angelo’s feet dangled in the air. My breath was becoming shallow as I watched. After a moment, I broke from the binds that held my wrists to the chair. I shot forward, landing a solid punch on the other woman. She slid back and released Angelo. I quickly stepped between Angelo and Lusamine, keeping a careful eye on the woman. She let out a sharp laugh and got ready to fight. I knew this woman’s fighting style like the back of my hand. She is, after all, the one that taught me how to fight. Although, she did teach me, I felt no remorse is beating the shit out of her. This woman tortured my boyfriend, brainwashed my sister, and was behind my father’s death. The only thing I felt in that moment was rage toward Lusamine. I got ready to fight her, at any cost.

Lusamine howled with laughter, “You really think you’ll be able to beat me?”

“I don’t think,” I spat, “I know.”

The older woman cracked a vile smirk and slid into a comfortable fighting stance. I wasted no time allowing my ability to spark. Bright plumes of fire formed above my fists. I soon let my rage grab hold of my body. I dashed at Lusamine and landed a heavy punch across her face. She reared back, holding her cheek with the same shit eating grin on her face. She brought up 4 different shadow beings between us. I stared at them and froze, coming back to myself briefly. Angelo, Sam, Talia and my mother all stood in a line in front of me. I could feel my hands start shaking.

“Amalia,” Angelo whispered, watching me from where he was on the floor, “Amalia, those aren’t real.”

I shook my head slightly and stepped back, “How… How can this not be real?” I asked, on the verge of tears.

Angelo stood up and gently embraced me, “It’s not real.” He whispered into my ear.

I hadn’t dropped my eyes from the shadow beings in front of us. My body felt as though it was vibrating against his. My arms dropped to my sides and I let my head rest against my lover’s arms. After taking a deep breath, I nodded and laced out fingers together and smiled slightly, “We go at this together.” I said softly.

Angelo nodded, “That’s my girl.” He said warmly and kissed the top of my hand.

“Let’s go beat her ass.”

Angelo nodded, and sent a force field at the shadow beings, causing the images to falter and fade. Lusamine softly cursed under breath but still held up her fists for a fight, “We only need to knock her out, maybe tie her up, and escape.” I said softly.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll give you cover.”