ALL SORTS OF things went through my mind as we strolled through the Creepers. I sort of hated myself now.
I felt so weak for doing this to myself again, for trusting him, knowing it would only break my heart as he always disappointed me in the end.
I watched as the stupid idiot exited the Creepers, carrying me into the night.
“This doesn’t make any sense.” Blake stared at the moon.
“They don’t know what time or day it is. I doubt if they even know what year it is.”
A few Creepers close by hissed as he passed. He was scared, but he didn’t show it, I could see it when he closed his eyes. I kept staring at a Creeper as its mouth came close to Blake.
I put my hand between Blake’s head and the Creeper’s mouth, and it retreated.
He put me down when we were a good distance away from the hissing plants, and the idiot fell down on the ground and kissed it.
I wanted to laugh, thinking that he was being overly dramatic, but when he sat back up with tears lingering in his eyes as he scanned the area, I knew it wasn’t a joke.
“I’m home.”
“You lived in Etan too?”
“My father owned almost half of Bolivia. We had some ground here too, but leased it out because we didn’t know shit about farming.”
“What?”
“Don’t look so surprised. We weren’t always poor.”
“That wasn’t what I meant,” I said and stomped off, walking past him when I remembered what he had done.
He followed me and we walked in silence toward Alkadeen, away from the Creepers. I was glad it was night time.
Blake kept up, no surprise there, and after a while, it was as if he’d picked up on my mood. He grabbed my hand gently and pulled me back. I hid my tears, the ones I’d desperately wanted to shed.
“What is going through that mind of yours?”
“Nothing. I just didn’t want you to be here. You seriously do not grasp what they do to dragons this side.” I walked further, and found the fields where they grew corn. It was not far from the Benson’s place.
“I do,but this is what we need to do, together.”
I stopped walking and turned around. “And if they catch you?”
“They have no idea what I look like,” he said as he passed me.
“Goran does. Or have you forgotten that day in the woods?”
He stopped. He’d forgotten. He turned around. “Relax, okay.” He put his hoody over his head, which made him look extra beautiful and mysterious. I closed my eyes and lowered my head again.
His fingers touched my chin softly. “A princess never lowers her head.” He pushed my head up so that I was gazing straight into his eyes.
“This feels wrong. What if something goes wrong? What if you find one of them?”
He closed his eyes.
“You can’t attack, not without backup. They will put you down, Rubicon or not, and then everything will be for nothing.”
He nodded. “Then I’ll play nice, pretend, if that is what you want. Just say the word.”
“I’m not like that. I told you not to come with me.” I was upset and walked past him again.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me gently back. “And I told you that I would never let you do any of this, ever, without me again. This is my destiny too, not just yours.”
Just then we heard a gun cock, and Blake froze.
“Don’t take off your hoody, or we’ll both die,” I said softly.
I walked past Blake with my hands in the air.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” It was Tom.
“Tom, lower the gun, please. It’s me, Elle.”
He lowered his gun immediately and moved fast. His one free arm wrapped around my shoulders and brought me to his chest. “Elle, what are you doing here? How did –” He stopped. “Who is this?”
I looked at Blake’s back and then at Tom. Blake turned around slowly, with his hands in the air.
“Don’t be mad, okay.”
He lifted up his gun again as I said those words, and almost touched Blake’s chest. “Tom, don’t be stupid and put down the gun. He won’t hurt you, I promise.”
“Speak, who is he?”
I swallowed hard. “It’s my dragon.”
Tom glared at me. “You said.”
“I know what I said. I was wrong.”
The gun was still at Blake’s chest. “Tell him to lower his gun or he can kiss it goodbye.”
“Shush,” I said to Blake. “Please, Tom. Just lower your gun.”
“Is he sane?”
“I’m not the one with the gun. Now please, lower it before someone gets hurt.” Blake sounded so calm but still had a warning in his tone.
“Please, Tom.” I couldn’t go through losing Blake again.
Tom looked at me then at Blake before he lowered his gun. “You have plenty of questions to answer, young lady.”
“I promise.”
“Let’s go.”
I blew out some air and looked at the sky. No stars. This was my nightmare.
Blake wrapped his arm around me and pulled me toward his body.
“Keep your hoody on please.”
He nodded.
We walked past the barn in which I’d woken six months ago and entered the house.
“Look who I found.” Tom barged through, and Gertrude, who was sitting on the couch, looked up from her sewing.
“Elle!” She put it down and ran toward me. Her motherly arms wrapped around my body. “You are safe.”
“It’s a long story, but yes, I’m safe.”
Marcus smiled at me. He still looked so much like Herbert. He hugged me too. “We were so worried that day they took you.”
“They found the facility.” I felt so guilty about that. “I’m so sorry. I did what I could.”
“Shhhh, you kept them safe.” He looked down at me but sadness was reflected in his eyes.
“What happened?”
“We lost Nicky and Max.”
“No!” I covered my mouth with my hands. “How is August?”
“He had started to experiment with his ability.”
I knew what that meant. He’d tried to save Max. “I’m so sorry, Marcus.”
“It’s okay. You are okay.”
“Elle.” A voice that shouldn’t be here came from the direction of the kitchen. I looked past Marcus and saw her. How was this possible?
“Annie!” I yelled and we ran to each other. Our bodies crashed together as I wrapped my arms around her fragile frame then squeezed her tiny body so tightly.
“What are you doing here? What happened?” I held her arm’s length and only then did I see it. One side of her temple and left eye was burned. It deformed her face slightly and the beautiful brown eye with a splash of gray was hardly open.
Tears filled my eyes as scenarios popped into my head. “What did they do to you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I found my way back.”
“No, tell me.”
“Shhh.” She hugged me again, and she gasped. “Elle, who is this?”
I’d forgotten that Blake was here too. I was so overwhelmed seeing all of their faces. I turned around, he was still wearing his hoody, standing by the door.
“Tell them, Elle,” Tom said in that ‘tell them you were lying to everybody’ tone of his.
“It wasn’t like that, Tom.”
“It’s her dragon,” Tom told everyone
“What?” Marcus said.
“I thought he died. He didn’t,” I said to Marcus.
“Your dragon is not dead?” Gertrude’s tone was much kinder.
“No, he’s alive.”
They all stared at Blake then back at me.
I sighed. I wanted to start explaining that he looked like Billy but my thoughts were cut off.
“You lied.” Annie looked hurt.
“No.” I flinched. “Yes, but not about that. I thought he was dead.”
“How did you find out he was alive? Where are Zack and Derick?”
I froze when she asked me that. “My fire came back and I killed them.”
I could feel Blake’s eyes on me. He’d never seen that, because I never dreamed about it. Now he knew what I had done.
“Elle, what did they do to you?” Annie asked.
“It doesn’t matter.”
She had tears in her eyes this time. “I swear I will kill them.”
“No you won’t,” Blake said. “Killing them is my job.” So apparently he isn’t that disappointed that I killed some people. It was a relief.
“So you are a Sun-Blast too?”
Blake didn’t answer.
“No, I lied about that.”
She looked at me.
“Elle?” August’s voice came from the hallway. He looked tired, sick, as if he had the flu.
He ran over to me and grabbed me. “Where the hell were you? When Pop found Annie, almost dead.” He just looked at me. “Where the hell were you?” he asked again.
“I’m so sorry about Max.”
He didn’t say anything.
“Elena?” Blake asked and everyone gasped. I knew then that he had lowered his hood.
Three pairs of guns cocked again, and August’s hands filled with green gas.
“Where is my girlfriend?” August yelled.
I ran over to Blake to protect him. August didn’t care and tried to push me away. I pushed back. “Back off, August.” He hadn’t expected that.
“What are you doing with this low scum?” Augst’s jaw was clenched. I’d never seen him this angry before.
“It’s not who you think it is, please.”
Everyone slowly started toward the couch but kept their guns on Blake.
I touched Blake’s arm and an electric current prickling my fingers. I looked down and saw small sparkles forming on Blake’s fingertips. My eyes found his. “Don’t, please. They won’t hurt us.”
“Speak for yourself,” August said.
“What are you doing with him?” Annie yelled and let out a cough. August was going to kill all of his family members if he didn’t calm down.
August released a green ball of chlorine without thinking as the guns were still pointed toward Blake.
Blake yelled an incantation and an invincible orb trapped the gas.
“Stop this!” I yelled and stared at the green bubble that was floating in the air. Everyone was staring at it with wide eyes. They coughed, but at least the air was still breathable.
“It’s not him.” I spoke fast. “It’s not him.” I looked at August and all of them. Then turned to Blake again. “I told you not to take off your hoody. What didn’t you understand?”
Blake ignored me and stared at Annie. She was petrified. The guns were still trained on us. My heart beat so fast I couldn’t even think properly. Gertrude was missing. I hadn’t even seen her leave.
“Who do you think I am?” Blake asked Annie, stepping from behind me with his hands held up in surrender. I tried to push him back, but he just moved forward.
Annie retreated. “Just stay away from me.” Her eyes were wild.
“It’s not Billy, Annie.” Charles had just entered the living room. “Lower your guns,” he said to his son and grandsons.
They just stared at Charles.
“I said lower your guns.”
They all looked at Blake again, and one by one they lowered them.
“You too, August. Not a very smart move. If he hadn’t trapped that bubble, all of us would’ve suffocated. Never release your ability in a closed environment. First rule.”
“Sorry Pops, but look at him.” Disgust and hate were written all over his face.
“I’m not blind. It’s not Billy. Look at his eyes.”
Thank heavens. I closed my eyes and opened them again.
“Elle.” Charles smiled and opened his arms. I found myself inside of them.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered in his ear.
“Shhh.” He had soft eyes and then it shifted to Blake. “What is your name, son?” Charles asked.
I stepped out of his hug and just stared at Blake who looked at me through squinted eyes. He was upset again.
He hovered for a short while. “My name is Blake.”
They all gasped, and stared at him with huge eyes, even Annie.
Everyone knew who the Rubicon was. I went to Blake’s side, and saw Annie staring at him. A tear, of fear or anger, I didn’t know, rolled down her cheek. “Blake, as in Blake Leaf?”
He nodded.
“No, this can’t be. The Creepers killed you.” She spoke fast.
“Do I know you?” Blake asked.
“What do you mean by the Creepers killed him?” I walked back to Blake’s side.
She didn’t answer and started to pace. She kept looking at him every five seconds. “This can’t be. He would’ve found you.” Annie didn’t understand. It was evident in her tone.
“Calm down,” Blake said to Annie, and I studied both of them. “This –” He pointed at me. “– is Elena. She is King Albert and Queen Catherine’s daughter.”
Gertrude cupped her mouth, Tom and Marcus just stared, August too, and Charles had that knowing smile.
“Tom found us half an hour after we walked through the Creepers.”
Everyone sucked in a breath again, including Charles.
“You want to tell me that people are still alive?” Charles pointed in the direction of the Creepers. “Behind the snatchers?”
I got what they were saying. “The Creepers only consumed Etan. Areeth, Tith and Elm still exist.” I spoke fast.
“What?” They all looked at one another.
“You didn’t know that?” Blake looked at everyone.
“They told us that we were the only place that survived.” Charles looked at the carpet.
“They lied,” Blake said.
“Wait,” Annie said and looked at me. “You are King Albert and Queen Catherine’s daughter?”
I nodded.
“You never grew up in Etan?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know I was in Etan.”
“That explains a lot.” She spoke softly and looked at Blake again. Something I’d never seen before appeared on her face. It was hope.
She started laugh then ran over to Blake and flung her arms around him.
He stood there, not knowing what to do.
Just hug her, I mouthed, and his arms folded gently over her back.
“Now if I might ask, how do you know me?”
She sniffed, still giggling and pulled away. “It’s me, you idiot. Jumble-Bean.”
I gasped. He knew her.
“Jumble-Bean?” The words barely came out, and Annie nodded. His gorgeous smile broke over his face, as he cupped her face gently. Tears welled up in his eyes, and then he grabbed her around the waist, picked her up and twirled her around. “It’s really you?”
She laughed again. “Yes.”
“Where is your dad?”
She just hugged him. “He died trying to free King Albert,” she mumbled into his shoulder.
I cringed as Blake’s face fell. He put Annie down. “King Albert is still alive?”
“Yes, I thought…” She looked at me then back at Blake. “You guys didn’t know?”
Blake looked at me, but I turned away my face.
“Don’t even think about it, Blake. Goran is too powerful, and with the Saadedine protecting King Albert, you will never get him out of there.”
He still looked at me. I could feel his eyes on me. “You knew about this?”
I didn’t answer.
“Did you know your father was still alive?”
“How could you not know that? You were reading my mind for I don’t know how long.”
“I didn’t want to then, remember?”
“Wait,” Charles said. “You can hear Elle’s thoughts?”
“Not anymore.” Blake sounded pissed off.
“My dad made me promise not to tell anyone. He never wanted us to free Etan.”
“That is not for you to decide. This is my foretelling too. There are families this side.” He grunted. He was frustrated, angry, I got it. “Do you even know what this is going to do to my father?”
“You can’t tell him. If he knows, he will do whatever it takes to get past the Creepers.”
“You think I don’t know that? I’ve been there. I know what he will do. It’s suicide.”
“Please, don’t tell him.”
He shook his head.
Annie just stroked his arm, and I felt as if I was back at the academy when none of my friends were really mine anymore. Still, it was slightly different as a tinge of jealousy or worry about who she was to Blake rushed through me. “So, how do you know Blake?” I was so obvious, and she raised her eyebrow as she looked at me.
“Ew.” She used a tone that made everyone laugh. “Not like that. He’s my cousin.”
I froze and eyed Blake, who just shook his head. He made me feel so small at times. I hated that. But then I processed what she’d just said.
“Wait, you are Constance’s daughter?”
She gasped as I said her name. “My mom’s still alive?”
“Jumble-Bean. Believe me, this side it is more a surprise of who is alive.”
I just stared at her. I had been with Constance’s daughter all that time.
Blake stroked her back softly. “We have to get you out of here. Your mom can’t lose you both.” He took the words right out of my mouth.
She stared at him when he said, out of here. She turned her gaze at the others. “What about them? They are my family too.”
“Shhhh. What do you think we are doing here? We are not on vacation, that I can promise you.”
Hope filled everyone, and they started to laugh and shake Blake’s hand. Introductions were made, and Gertrude hugged him. He hadn’t expected that. Tom and August were the only ones who kept their distance.
“Blake,” I started, as he needed to know about the people who had been taken.
“Later, Elena.” He looked at me then at Charles. He walked over to him and shook his hand. “I take it you are the Charles David spoke about.”
Charles froze and stared at him. “My dragon is still alive?”
“Dad.” Marcus smiled and came over to his side. He put his arm around him. “Come, sit.” He looked at Blake. “My father isn’t as young as he used to be. You can’t just spring that information on us.” Marcus looked at Blake.
“Sorry, I didn’t think.”
He helped guide Charles to a couch and everyone took a seat.
I sat next to Annie. I couldn’t believe it was the Sun-Blast Constance had wanted me to bring home. I wasn’t going to let her out of my sight until she was safe in her mother’s arms.
She couldn’t stop smiling and just held my hand.
Blake started to speak to everyone about Dragonia Academy and the claiming; everything was just as it had been a long time ago. We told them about Tith, and the museum in Elm that’d had its name changed. They listened eagerly at everything he had to say. Then he started speaking about David, and the most beautiful tavern that was comparable to a four-star lodge, and about David’s family – to foster more hope that there was a better life.
Charles started to laugh then I remembered the bag. It was at the door so I got up and fetched it.
“I forgot,” I interrupted Blake. “David wanted you to have this.” I gave him the bag and Charles took it. He opened it and took out the first object. It was a Dingo. A sponge cake, wrapped up in candy paper, like Twinkies, but different. It had the sweetest fruit jam inside.
He smiled and saw the note. A huge grin spread across his face. With tears running down his cheeks, his eyes caught mine, and then he started to laugh, opened the wrapper and just grunted as he took a bite.
Everyone was filled with hope again, even chuckled as they watched him. He took out an entire bag of Dingos and handed each one out. “Eat. It’s time to celebrate.”
WE SPOKE ABOUT what we were going to do over the next few weeks. We were going to bring people in and take the innocent out.
I grabbed Tom and August’s attention too.
“Look, everyone is going to be free. We will get you all out of here,” Blake promised.
“We can’t, Blake,” Charles said. “The Council is coming next week. They know us. If they find someone missing, they will kill everyone.”
Blake paced while Charles spoke.
“We have no hide-out anymore.
“It’s fine. Do they know about all of you now? Elena mentioned something about a facility.”
“Yes, there used to be. They found it three months ago. When they took Elle and Annie,” Marcus said. “They will look there first.”
I just realized Daisy wasn’t here. “Marcus.” There was alarm in my voice. “Where is Daisy?”
“Calm down, Elle,” he said. “Sorry, princess.”
“Please, it’s Elle, here.”
He nodded. “She fell asleep putting Cassy to bed.”
I could breathe again.
“You haven’t answered my question.” Blake asked again. “Do they know about the little ones?” I loved the way he said little ones.
Marcus shook his head. “Nicky and Max sacrificed themselves like Elle did to keep the smaller ones safe.” His voice broke. “We found a hiding spot for them up on one of the hills, but the last time they brought another Dream Weaver and she sniffed them out.
“Penelope.” I looked at Annie and she nodded.
“You said in a week’s time?” Blake asked.
Charles nodded.
“We might be able to help.”
“How, Blake? If they find you.”
“Elena, calm down. I wasn’t even thinking that. A safer way. We have one week. If we can get the ones out they don’t know about, they will never know.”
I nodded. It sounded like a good plan.
Marcus looked worried. “Cassy is still very small, I doubt she would leave without Daisy, and they know my daughter. They tried to take her a couple of times. I would give anything for her to disappear, but it’s like Charles said. If they find one missing.” He shook his head and fresh tears lingered in his eyes. “It’s like no matter what kind of hope comes our way, we are never going to get away from this rotten hell hole.”
“Don’t say that.” Blake spoke softly. “There is always hope. And there will be a war. Probably the greatest one in history. No peace can come without war.”
Everyone fell silent at Blake’s words. I didn’t like that, but he was right.
“Dad?” Daisy’s voice came from the door. She sounded sleepy. “What is going on? Who are…” Her eyes found mine, and she rushed over to my side and grabbed me with strong arms. “How did you escape?”
“Shhhh.” I stroked her back as she squeezed the daylights out of me.
“We found Annie, and‒
“Calm down, Daisy.” Marcus spoke softly, and he gave her the biggest smile.
“This is Elle’s dragon, Blake Leaf.” She looked to where her father pointed, and her eyes grew.
“He’s not dead?”
I shook my head. “I know he looks like Billy, but it’s not him.”
She gasped. “Wait, what?” She looked at everyone’s joy and nodded. She looked back at Blake. “Blake Leaf as in the Rubicon?” She sounded dumbfounded.
“The other side exists. They have a better life,” Marcus said.
“What?”
“Cassy can become a Dragonian. August too.”
Tears flowed and she hugged her father. “But the snatchers, they will‒
“They won’t harm us, Elena is the key. She can take everyone out of here safely,” Blake said.
Daisy closed her eyes. Relief was an understatement. She was experiencing hope too. It was so addictive.
She sniffed hard, and took a deep breath. Then the same doubt came back. “No, it’s not going to work. If any of us are missing, they will kill the rest.” She spoke to her father, as if she was reminding him. Then she turned to Blake. “It’s not going to work.”
I could feel their pain, feel their emotions going through a roller-coaster, hope, doubt, hope, doubt. It was not going to work. Innocent people were going to die the minute we took someone out of here. Blake had a soft smile on his face. More hope.
“Charles,” he said. “You ever heard of the Buyo project?”
The Buyo project? Why did that sound so familiar? A glass box protected by a harness that went around someone’s body jumped into my mind. I’d seen it once, at the lab when I was busy with the Sonic project. It was some sort of harness you strapped on, but what it was used for, I didn’t know.
Charles nodded. “It’s far-fetched, always was.”
“It’s not. It’s actually an extremely smart design, all it needs is human DNA to activate it and with a push of a button you can become whoever you want to be. It can be easily worn under your clothes. They will never know. We can get ops in here, and get all of you out next week.”
“What?” everyone voiced.
“You have no idea what has happened in the past seventeen years. Technology has grown, it will blow your mind away. There is no limit anymore.”
Everyone was quiet again when Blake said that. Thinking about his plan.
“Dad, will it work?” Marcus asked.
“I have to see this first, Blake, before I’m going to jeopardize everyone’s lives.”
“Okay,” Blake said.
I never even knew there was something like that out there.
Gertrude got up. “Father, it’s late. I’m sure Blake and Elle want to rest and tomorrow is going to be a long day. We still have so much work to do.”
“I’ll help,” Blake said. “While Elena goes back to get the ball rolling.”
I stared at him. Leave him here? Was he seriously insane?
“Blake you’ve helped enough.” Daisy smiled.
“I’ll help, Daisy, is it?”
She nodded.
“See you all tomorrow.” He looked at me. “A word in private.”
I got up and knew we were going to fight again.
“Let me show you to the guest room,” Gertrude said. We walked up the stairs and more happiness broke out.
“Is this for real?” Daisy asked.
“If that device works, I can’t see why not,” Charles said.
“What about Leana, and Max?” Tom sounded worried.
“He said everyone, Tom.” Marcus’s tone carried hope, and I tuned out.
Blake was speaking to Gertrude, thanking her for her hospitality. She just laughed. “We should thank the both of you, now we know why Elle was so distraught when she thought they’d killed you.”
Blake didn’t turn or look at me. Thanks Gertrude.
“I hope this will suit you. It was Elle’s old room.”
“It’s perfect. Goodnight, Mrs. Benson.”
“Gertrude please,” she said. “Good night, Elle.”
“Thanks, Gertrude.” I hugged her and she left.
I closed the door. He was so draining at times.
He wielded his shield; it was so strong I could hear the soft buzz around us.
“You didn’t even think that knowing your father was alive would be useful?”
“He made me promise.”
“I don’t give a shit. The people will fight. Caleb will fight. We need the people of Areeth.”
“He doesn’t want them to fight. If we can get the good ones out, the Saadedine will still be trapped, Goran will still be trapped, they will never know. We don’t have to destroy or free Etan.”
“And how do you suppose we are going to free your father without letting any of them know? You heard what Annie said, the Saadedine is protecting him.”
“He didn’t want us to free him. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
“It’s really sad that you know nothing about your father, but I’m not going to give up on my king, and neither should you.”
I hated how he talked about my dad, saying I didn’t know him. How he made me feel so selfish, so cowardly.
“I promised him, we’ll get the innocent out and that is it.”
“No!” he roared. “It’s our destiny to free everyone, everyone, Elena.”
“Oh, everyone, even the bad ones? The ones who kill and rape? Those ones too?”
He flinched as I said it. “I gave you my word that they would die.”
I laughed sarcastically as a thought popped up over a certain resemblance. “Annie isn’t your only family this side, is she? You know someone named Billy, Blake? Cause it all makes sense now. Why he looks like you. Annie sure knew him. Really well. I didn’t think family wise, but now,” I said shaking my head.
He stared at me, as if he’d just realized something extremely important.
“Billy?” he said and lowered his shield. He walked out the door, running down the stairs, and I could hear him yelling Annie’s name.
“Yes?” She answered.
“Who is Billy?”
“Blake,” she said softly. I knew it.
“Who is he?” he asked, in an adamant tone.
“It’s Will.”
“Will?” Blake asked. “As in William Henderson?”
I was right, he was family. Probably from Sir Robert’s side.
“I’m sorry, Blake.”
He was quiet. “It doesn’t matter,” he mumbled and his footsteps stomped fast on the stairs back to the room. The door opened.
I nodded. “I was right.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Who is he, Blake?”
“Not family anymore.”
“Who is he?” I yelled.
“He was my father’s sister’s son. His dad was a human.”
“It explains why he doesn’t have a dragon form, but looks a lot like you.”
“It doesn’t matter.
“His family had a shitty life. It’s either become evil or die.”
“Look around you. All these people had that choice, but they choose differently. He isn’t my family anymore, and he will die. That is what I promised, that is what’s going to happen.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to speak to you when you are like this. I’m going to sleep in Annie’s room.”
I ran away. I was sick and tired of always fighting with him.
The door shut behind me and I was glad it didn’t open again. I knocked on Annie’s door. “Is everything okay?” she asked, and I closed my eyes and started to cry.
“Shhh, he’s just angry,” she said. “He has all the right to be too.” She patted my hair as her arms went around my shoulders. “He was part of it, wasn’t he?”
“Part of what?”
“Whatever they did to you.”
I got what she was talking about and nodded.
“I told you not to trust him. He is‒
“I know, okay. I know. I was stupid.” I turned around and sat on her bed. “It’s his cousin, Annie.”
“Oh, I know. The idiot used to play with us as kids.”
I flinched. They had been that close?
“He used to break off our baby scales, which I might add hurt like hell. I played with Blake a lot, he was such a gentle dragon.”
“What?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
She grin and sat down next to me. “I take it he’s grown some these past years.”
“That is an understatement.”
“How big is he?” Her tone held a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
“Massive.”
She bit her lip and smiled, probably trying to imagine it. “We haven’t seen a dragon for such a long time.” She sounded so excited and started to forget about the danger. “I’ve never felt this happy before.”
I wrapped my one arm around her and pulled her closer to me. “I’m with Blake. Will needs to die.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I do.”
I sighed. All of this was so messed up.
“Can I ask you something?” She lifted her head from my shoulder and looked at me. My eyes caught her burn mark. I hated those idiots. I nodded.
“What’s my mom like?”
