Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1961

Andrew ignored Luna completely.

Now that Maurice was no longer a threat, he pressed both hands firmly against Victoria's back. The energy from his core surged recklessly, pouring into her without restraint.

In an instant, Victoria's body jolted, and thick clouds of steam rose from her back.

Luna's voice was sharp with anger. "Andrew, what are you doing? Aren't you afraid of dragging yourself into a point of no return?"

Even she was rattled by the way Andrew was recklessly channeling his energy. It was a move that could very well cost him his life, and no one knew if it would even save Victoria.

Nonetheless, one thing was certain: Andrew would be severely injured.

The energy that martial artists cultivated was not limitless. Once pushed beyond its limit, the mild consequence was a fall in skill level. The severe consequence was permanent damage that would halt all future progress.

Andrew's face contorted in agony, but his voice remained calm. "Ms. Phelan, if you have the time to worry about me, you'd be better off helping me keep Maurice from getting away."

Luna's brow furrowed deeply as she sneered coldly. "Keep Maurice? Andrew, what else are you planning to do? Fight back? Get revenge for Victoria?"

Andrew's grin was vicious. "You're damn right. The Driscoll family and I are now locked in a fight to the death. If I don't take out that old dog, I don't deserve to be called a man."

Luna let out an exasperated laugh. "At a time like this, you still want to play the hero. If I hadn't come here on Governor McCormick's orders and arrived when I did, do you think you and Victoria would have even made it off this mountain alive?"

Andrew slowly withdrew his hands, ignoring the tearing pain in his energy core as he gently laid Victoria flat. Only then did he stand up to face Luna directly.

They were only inches apart, close enough to catch every subtle change in the other's expression.

Luna could not help but shake her head, grinding her teeth in frustration. "You've truly lost your mind! You're going to blow through all the resources you've worked so hard to build up. Andrew, are you so fragile that you can't handle the blow of failure?"

Her voice turned cutting. "Or is it true what all those rumors say… that you have strange feelings for Victoria?"

Andrew knelt and lifted Victoria into his arms. As he passed by Luna's side, he paused briefly.

"How I treat someone depends on how they treat me. Victoria almost gave her life for me, so what I'm doing for her now is nothing compared to that. And Ms. Phelan, I'm not crazy. In fact, I've never been as clear-headed. Oh, and congratulations… In the future, Blumedale won't be run by the Three Titans anymore. It'll just be the Phelans and the Fischers."

With a faint smile, Andrew started down the back mountain steps, his posture straight.

Outside, Luna's second-in-command, Leslie, stood waiting, her face dark with barely contained anger.