Cyrus ran to Desmond, who lay in the center of a car hood. The werehyena groaned.
Across the street, Ezekiel and Johanna shouted commands to Axel, who ripped his sword out of the ground after missing a strike at Oleandra.
“Dad, remember that rage cannot consume you,” Ezekiel said. “Fight well but don’t overdo it.”
“Who cares if she dies?” Johanna asked. “She killed Therese. She must die as punishment.”
Cyrus scratched his head.
“That’s Axel’s punishment,” Gilberto said. “Years ago, he fought Oleandra and went berserk after she killed Therese. Now he has to be bound with reminders of his true nature—light and darkness.”
“The Regulators’ way of regulating him, eh?” Cyrus asked.
Gilberto shrugged. “Maybe. He’s still pretty freaking powerful if you ask me.” He pulled out a pouch and pal
