THERESA
Gigi gritted her teeth, her eyes burning a molten red as she focused on the metal bars in front of us. The icy air hissed and crackled as her flames licked the frozen steel, the grates slowly turning a dull orange under the intense heat.
I pressed my shoulder against the gate, muscles straining and claws digging into the frozen ground as I shoved with everything I had.
The metal groaned.
I felt it shift—just barely—but enough to make my heart leap. I braced my paws, shoving with everything I had. The bars shuddered, bending just a fraction more. But it wasn’t enough.
Gigi gasped. Her breath came out in short, ragged pants. Her eyes flickered with exhaustion setting in. The flames sputtered and weakened.
After another agonizing attempt, I stumbled back and shook out my limbs,
