Page 102 of This Shattered Star

“Move,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. Staying rooted in place would get me killed. Would getuskilled. But as I began to let go of Kodhan’s arm, I noticed I was not the only one who hadn’t moved an inch.

My allies stared and stared at the dragons, each of their faces painted with soaring amounts of anger and dismay.

Under my fingers, Kodhan trembled. But out of everything written plainly across his face, fear was not present. The most talented artist could paint his portrait, and yet never be able to capture the rage emanating from him.

The fire at his wrists burned brighter, hotter, trailing higher up his arm until I had to yank my hand back. Those were not flames I wanted to risk touching, a living embodiment of what warred inside of him.

“Move!” I shouted this time.

Slowly, Kodhan turned, setting the full brunt of his burning gaze upon me. His eyesglowed,as if his flames kindled behind the green of his eyes, setting them ablaze. It was like holding a gemstone before a hearth. An irresistible, mesmerizing sight.

Instinct screamed at me to step back—the violence and fury lacing his expression wringing doubts regarding what he’d said, back in his room.

But I wouldn’t run. If he wanted to take back his claims here, as the dragons bore down on us, so be it.

I refused to die as a coward. No, he would have to look me in the eye, to face his lies, if he wanted to end me.

But as my rage clashed with his, he blinked slowly, and I could see it dissipate like a retreating storm. The glow behind his irises dimmed, making it look as if it had all been a trick of the moon’s light.

“You’re right. We must move.”

Not a liar, then. A tremor of relief coursed down the length of my spine.

“We should follow Elias and Lachlan. It’ll forcibly drag them into the dragons’ path and eliminate any possibility of them tampering or hiding the pins,” I offered, tightly.

“At least one of us has their heads sewn on right. Let’s go,” Brannon answered, though his voice was that of a stranger, the hollowness to it deep and unforgiving.

Still battling the embers inside of him, Kodhan nodded. His attention remained fixed on me. On my right iris.

“Kodhan,” Theia hissed. “It’s now or never.”

The command must have been laced with magic, for he tore his eyes from mine, and took one stiff step towards the watchtower. Lachlan and Elias were already three-quarters of the way up the rickety ladder, their feet barely touching the rungs with the speed of their climbing. One of them had to be using wind.

We made it to the base of the watchtower at the same moment the dragon on the left unfurled its wings. It took to the skies like an arrow, its talons scattering branches as it flew in the same direction the two girls had run. To pick them off.

Quicker than an asp, the remaining dragon finally struck, maw snapping open in preparation to grab Elias from where he still scrambled behind Lachlan, the latter hauling his body over the lip of the lookout. With a surprised shout, Elias branded his arm like a sword, slashing it through the air. A wave of blindingfire soared towards the dragon, halting it before teeth could pierce flesh.

Its answering snarl leeched the color from my face.

Brannon began the ascent first, Theia close on his heels. Then I climbed the first few steps, the ladder swaying with the weight of the three of us. But Kodhan didn’t follow.

He began to back away. “You three take care of Elias and Lachlan. I’ll distract it.”

My answer was immediate. “No.” Shaking my head furiously, I backtracked a handful of rungs. But Kodhan reached up to grab my calf, stopping me. “It’ll kill you,” I pleaded. “Aren’t dragons impervious to fire? I read that in a book once. The ones I told you about.” Rambling would do no good, but the words kept tumbling out anyway.

“Not impervious. It won’t kill them, but burning scales are a less-than-comfortable experience.”

“How would you know?

“I read about it in a book.” He winked, then said, “Make sure those bastards suffer.” And left no room for arguing as he let go of my calf andwhistledat the dragon. As if it were a dog.

“Wait,” I gasped, but he did no such thing. He began to walk backwards in the direction of the tree line. “Wait!What if we get separated?”

“I will find you, little viper.Always.”

“Swear it.”

“I swear it on my life.”