Page 34 of Twilight of Embers
I snapped my mouth closed. I didn’t have the first clue.
“That’s what I thought,” Easton shot back.
“We keep going as we have been,” Knox argued. “We be her friend. She’s going to need us.”
That was the understatement of the century. If it was true that Hayden had no clue what she was, then her whole world was about to be ripped apart.
Easton’s jaw tightened. “She could be latent. This could all be for nothing.”
It wouldn’t matter if Hayden never shifted. She’d still be the most important being on the planet to me. But I didn’t think that would be a problem. “I sensed power in her. Immense strength.”
Knox’s head jerked in my direction. “You did?”
I nodded. “She’s an incredibly powerful dragon. She just doesn’t know it.”
18
HAYDEN
Rocks and sticks sliced into my bare feet as I ran. I pumped my arms and legs harder. Trying to get away. Trying to get safe.
“Càit a bheil a' bhana-phrionnsa?”
The voice bellowed into the night around me. Fear stabbed at me. I knew he was getting closer. Close enough that he could end me just like he ended my mother.
A roar sounded from the sky, and my gaze flew upward.
A massive silvery-white dragon sailed through the sky. I should’ve been terrified, but I wasn’t.
The beast swooped down over me, landing in the path.
The man skidded to a halt. “Drágon adhair,” he spat.
The giant creature opened his mouth, and a silver fire flew out, engulfing the man in flames. He screamed and writhed, but the dragon made no move to help him. Instead, he turned to me.
My heart hammered against my ribs, but I didn’t move.
The white dragon moved closer and closer. As he did, I saw that his body was riddled with scars. Each one sliced at my heart. I wanted to lay my hands on each one. To heal them.
The dragon lowered his huge head so that it was level with me.
I reached my hand up, pressing it to his cheek. And I swore the dragon purred.
The beep of my alarm jerked me out of the dream, and I rolled over, fumbling for the off button. What a bizarre dream.
“Shut it off,” Delaney grumbled.
I did, as quickly as possible, but stuck my tongue out at her, even if she couldn’t see me.
When I’d gotten home from work last night, she’d pounced. I guessed word had already made the rounds about the scene with Cáel. Delaney had accused me of lying, saying I had to know the guys from somewhere else because there was no reason they’d be so protective of me otherwise.
In some ways, I understood. Their protectiveness didn’t make sense. But I couldn’t give her answers because I didn’t have any. She hadn’t been pleased.
Sliding out of bed, I made quick work of my morning routine and pulled out clothes. Today’s T-shirt read, Think like a proton. Stay positive. I giggled to myself.
I would take all the little happies today because I felt like I’d run a marathon last night. Between yesterday’s shift at Spark’s and what felt like constant dreaming while I slept, I was exhausted.
I rubbed my fingers together. I swore I could still feel the warm scales beneath my fingertips.
