I took a deep, shuddering breath as I felt the curse weaken, but I knew it wasn't gone. The darkness still lurked beneath the surface, waiting for a moment of weakness. My half-transformed body ached, but Aimee's presence, her defiance in the face of Emily, was the only thing keeping me from losing myself completely. I couldn't let her down, not now.
Aimee's hand was still on mine, grounding me, her warmth keeping the curse at bay. I forced myself to focus, to steady my breathing, as I met Emily's cold gaze. She wasn't backing down, but neither was Aimee.
"You think you're so powerful, Emily," I growled, my voice rough, the lycan growl blending with my words. "But you've already lost. You've underestimated us."
Emily's face twisted into a sneer. "You fool. Do you really think you can fight me, James? You are bound by the curse. You can't escape what you are!"
