Page 29 of Dragon Tempted

John stopped himself from scowling. “No. I’ve got it.”

Ryan reached into his pocket. “And here is a new burner phone. I programmed several numbers for you—Marcus’s, Megan’s, Sienna’s, and the office number. Sienna figured you needed a new burner since you probably blew up your old phone.”

Sienna held up her hand. “Sorry if I presumed to know things about you.”

John glared at her. Was she actually enjoying this? Even though her face was devoid of emotion, her eyes were bright and smug. He turned back to Ryan and held out his hand.

Ryan glanced at John’s face and then Sienna’s before handing over the phone. “Well. If you need more food or anything else, call the main office number and I can take care of it for you.”

“Thanks,” John gritted out.

“Are you ready to head back, Si?” Ryan asked.

Sienna nodded. “Yes. Unless you need anything else, John?”

“Nope. I’m good.” Hell, he hadn’t been good for as long as he could remember, but at this point he would say anything to move them along. He needed to be alone. To be far away from the female in front of him who knew too much.

Ryan opened the door, checked outside, and then let Sienna out before shutting it behind him. John watched them climb into the UTV and head back toward the house.

He walked over to the table and unloaded the bags, pulling out eggs, milk, bread, butter, and various fixings for sandwiches, and put them away in the kitchen. Then he turned and stood in the middle of the room wondering what the hell to do next.

Yes, he wanted to end the curse. To stop magic and their dragons from disappearing completely. To stop riding the never-ending roller coaster of defeat.

But he’d never been beholden to anyone before. The idea that he was staying on someone else’s property, eating someone else’s food, and under someone else’s protection made him antsy.

Or was it being beholden to Sienna? And her right-hand man, Ryan. Who acted like a bodyguard. And who called her Si. Her own brothers didn’t call her that. Who was this Ryan to Sienna? Were they lovers? Mates?

He fisted his hands. That was none of his business. Even though she seemed to uncannily know things about him, he wasn’t going to open up to her. Why would he expect her to do the same?

His main duty was to break the curse and, in doing so, keep them all safe, especially Lily and Bella. Bella who had held up her little hands to him and wanted him to hold her. And her cries of, “No go!” had the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. What had that been about?

Were her oracle powers awakening? And if so, why was she so upset about him leaving? John shook his head. He couldn’t dwell too much on that. He’d already accepted years ago that breaking the curse would mean sacrificing himself in the process. Any doubt had been squelched when the scroll had been found and the second paragraph had been revealed. Forgiveness and sacrifice.

He had no problem being the sacrificial lamb if it meant dragons were restored and this clan was safe, Lily, Bella, and Sienna included.

Chapter 11

Sienna counted to ten. When that didn’t work, she sucked in a calming breath. And then another. What was it about John Baker that set her blood boiling? Yes, he could be a grouch, but his bark was far worse than his bite. He reminded her of a porcupine—sharp quills that protected a soft underbelly. She smirked at the image and at what his face would look like if she told John that he reminded her of a spiky rodent.

“Well, that was interesting,” Ryan said, interrupting her thoughts as the UTV sped up.

Sienna blinked. “What was?”

“John. He’s a hard one to figure out. The way everyone describes him, he’s a grumpy hermit with little social skills.”

“Okay?”

He glanced at her. “But during the meeting he started out bristly and then agreed with you about helping.”

Sienna shrugged. “I think that was more Bella than anything else.”

“EEEGH.”

She jumped. “What was that?”

“The sound of a wrong answer. He had already handed over his backpack before Bella worked her magic on him. Maybe it’s you?”

Her heart sped up. “What does that mean?”