The Protector's Flame

The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in raucous laughter.

Heidi's cheeks burned scarlet. Thaddeus clung to the back of her shirt with white-knuckled fists, terrified she might actually give in.

And those men, emboldened by their numbers, actually started reaching for her.

"Animals."

Cade, who almost never spoke, was the first one who couldn't take it anymore. The sight of the Fin