The shift took me mid-sentence.
My spine bowed until I thought it would snap. Fur exploded across my chest and shoulders. Claws burst fully from my fingers, black and wickedly curved. My vision went red as the beast’s eyes opened inside my skull.
Half man. Half monster. Nothing human left.
I threw my head back and roared.
The sound shook dust from the ceiling. Magic chains flared brighter, sparks raining down like burning snow. The beast lunged within me, ramming against the walls of my mind, demanding blood.
The iron cuffs trembled. Magic flickered.
Not enough.
I thrashed, muscles bulging with unnatural strength. The pain was exquisite, every movement tearing flesh, grinding bone. I wanted to stop—goddess, I wanted to stop—but the beast would not allow it. It demanded motion, deman
