Page 29 of Feathers and Scales

“And I doubt he could heal enough to move locations.” She pulled up a map to approximate the location where she was attacked. “That night the wind was from the northwest at twenty miles an hour. So, he probably drifted at least a few hours before the wound would have needed care.”

As she was estimating the miles, following the map southeast, he approached and stood over her chair. His warmth rushed over her, and her brain stumbled, like it tripped over its own feet. She pointed to land on the map. “This is where you should focus your efforts within a thirty-mile radius.”

He leaned closer. Lustful images of her tilting her face up to his, and their lips crashing together filled her mind. She swallowed and tilted her phone to her chest.In what direction was the wind going again?

“Let me double check that, and I’ll send you the map,” she said.

“That would be perfect.” He took his phone out and stepped away from her chair, honoring the distance she created. “Thank you.”

After she verified her thoughts, making sure she did in fact look southeast, she dropped him the photo and asked, “How many Archfiends have you taken out?”

“Seven,” he answered offhand. “Some were group efforts.”

That’s at least reassuring.

“If I were to go with you, what would my role be?” she asked. “I am not bait.”

His grip tightened around his phone as he slipped it back into his pocket. “Nor would I put you in danger. The Tattered—Archfiend is after you, and already you have given us a better place to start. I also want to offer any information we have to you, so you’re more equipped to figure out this link between us.”

Decisions whirled in her mind like a vortex. His logical and compelling words chipped away at the walls she’d constructed. Other than hiding, he was her best option when it came to defeating the Archfiend still hunting her. And the information he offered could help with a solution to her reincarnating punishment. Logic demanded that she take the opportunity.

But then a shuddering wave came over her, the unreliable guide of emotion. His proximity clouded her judgment. She still felt the ghost of his touch on her ankle, and the desire for physical connection that raced through her when he brushed her cheek. Staying close to him was dangerous.

“I…I can take the information you offer,” she said, her voice tighter than she intended. “But I will work independently. We can communicate remotely.”

Daxton’s eyes narrowed, a primal understanding dawning within their bronze depths. “That is not how this works, Izzy,” he said, his voice softer now, yet it carried an immovable firmness. “I understand your wariness because of this connection, but the Archfiend is after you. And this link ties us together. We work together in the same location, or we don’t at all.” His dragon was a low thrum against the barrier, an insistent plea for her to understand.

Her mind raced, searching for an escape, another logical solution. There was none. He was right. To deny his help now, based solely on the fear of feelings, was illogical—dangerous.

“Very well,” she said. “In the same location. But we break this link the moment we understand it.” Though the words felt like sandpaper in her throat, the surge of relief was instant. But she’d have to keep her distance from this man who made her feel, or she’d never reach Heaven.

Izzy fumbled with her glasses and avoided Daxton’s devouring gaze. Heat rose to her cheeks as she stood in the hallway of her cabin, a packed duffel bag hanging from her shoulder and the journal Daxton gave back to her held tightly against her chest.

Fotios’s voice whispered in her mind,“I thought the plan was to break the link. Not lust after him.”

Right. Breaking the link was why she agreed to go with him.

Daxton cleared his throat. “Ready to go?”

“Almost.” She maneuvered around the stacks of books and stowed her bag and Cornelius’s journal on the dining room table.

Daxton stood behind her as Simon headed around the stacks out of Daxton’s sight. Simon’s gloved fingers were raised to avoid any collisions while he carried a syringe. He gave a pointed look toward Daxton. Izzy noted Simon’s perspiring forehead and shaking hands.

Her body tensed. Simon asked to test his blood, not assault him.She leaped forward and grabbed Daxton’s arms, intending to move him if her command didn’t stop Simon.

“Don’t be a fool. I told you to ask,” she said, head angled around Daxton to glare Simon down.

Simon’s shoulders drooped, and he frowned. “Way to ruin it. He almost punched me. I’m owed retribution.”

“Almost hurting one another is not right.”

Flexing muscles under her grasp caught her attention, and she looked up. Daxton’s smiling face was inches from hers.

Her heart jolted in her chest. The magnetic pull strengthened, and she jerked her hands away.

“Thanks for the rescue,” Daxton murmured. “But the stench of fear gave him away the moment he came up the stairs. Now, what was he planning?” He looked over his shoulder.

“He wants a blood sample for our research,” Izzy said. “That’s what I dreaded might happen if I allowed your kind to guard Simon. He already pulled blood from me when I returned to try to physically test for the link.”