Page 66 of Shadows of Light
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“Stop that.No!Don’tdo that. Oh no. Oh,fuckme. Stop it!”
Lexi stifled her laughter as she glanced back at where Orin clung to Alina’s neck, his skin pale, his knuckles a bright white, and his eyes scrunched closed as he pressed his cheek into her back. Every time Alina shifted or flapped her wings, he cursed, told her to stop, and muttered something about never taking his feet off the ground again.
Lexi didn’t offer any words of reassurance or tell him she’d ridden the dragons dozens of times without any problem. First, he didn’t deserve them; secondly, no one knew about her late-night forays, and she planned to keep it that way.
As far as she was concerned, Orin deserved every second of this. Below, Brokk came into view as he waved to them. Orin groaned when Alina descended to the earth.
As soon as the dragon’s feet touched the ground and she settled into place, Lexi slid to the side and hopped off to stand next to Brokk. Orin continued clinging to Alina with his eyes closed and his arms spread wide.
She wasn’t sure if he realized they’d landed, and she didn’t tell him. Instead, she turned to Brokk. “Where is he?”
Brokk pointed to the cave fifty feet away. “He’s in rough shape, Lexi. I meanreallybad. He was shouting not so long ago, and it sounded like he was punching the walls. There was a lot of banging and thuds. He’s also… he’s also….” Brokk’s eyes flitted away before meeting hers again. “He’s also talking to the shadows, and I think himself.”
Lexi gulped as she looked at the cave. She knew Cole was in rough shape, but it sounded like he was completely spiraling out of control.
Her heart ached for the anguish he was enduring. He deserved better than this, and she would do everything she could to ensure he got it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to go down there right now,” Brokk continued.
“I agree,” Lexi said, “and that’s why you won’t be going with me.”
“You’re not going alone.”
Orin finally cracked his eyes open. He blinked at them a couple of times and groaned when Alina rose and flapped her wings before settling back into place. Lexi smiled at the dragon, who grinned back in return.
“Never again,” Orin muttered as he carefully slid off Alina.
“Not a fan of heights?” Lexi taunted.
He gave her the finger as he staggered a little before righting himself. “I’m not a fan of heights thatmove.”
Despite the awfulness of this situation and the tension still thrumming through her, Lexi chuckled. “You’re a mess right now.”
Orin scowled at her, but a thunderous crash from the cave cut off whatever he was about to say. Lexi forgot all about enjoying Orin’s small comeuppance as she lurched toward the entrance.
Before she could get to the cave, Brokk grasped her arm and pulled her back. Turning, she almost swung at him but restrained herself in time to keep from hitting him.
“I have to go,” she said.
“Not alone.”
“Ihaveto be alone, or it will be much worse for him and all of us.”
“He’s out of control.”
“And I can help with that.”
“Lexi—”
“This is my realm, andI’min charge here.” She softened her next words as she knew fear and love drove Brokk now, but he had to understand. “He needs me.”
“I know, but I’m in charge of keeping you safe.”
“Do you think it’s necessary to keep me safe from Cole?”
“You didn’t see him last night, Lexi, and you haven’t heard him down there.”
