Page 110 of Claim the Light
“Niah,” he says, greeting her quietly. “Do you remember me?”
She considers him warily, her lips tightening briefly before she answers. “Of course I know who you fucking are.”
“No,” he says gently. “Do you remember when we were little kids?”
Her face falls and her eyes suddenly fill with tears. She looks away, blinking rapidly, but the tears trickle down her cheeks.
I don’t know a lot about Felix’s history. I know that he and Beatrix were born with strength that rivaled that of the Scorn family, who had ruled over their clan for generations. Beatrix and Felix were a threat to the existing hierarchy, so when they were only seven years old, they were sent on a mission to steal from Callan’s father. It was expected that Callan’s father would kill them, but he didn’t. He gave them a new home instead.
When Felix waits for an answer, Niah tips up her chin, sniffing angrily through her tears. “I remember you didn’t come back. I remember you weren’t there to protect me. I had to protect myself.”
“Not anymore,” he says. “You don’t have to live like that any longer.” He takes a step closer to her. “The boundaries between clans are coming down. There’s family waiting for you if you’re willing to help pull down the walls.”
“I don’t…” Her forehead crinkles. “I can’t just…”
He holds out his hand to her. “Just one small step. That’s all I’m asking.”
She stares at his outstretched hand for the longest moment.
“I’m here for you, Niah,” he says, so softly I almost miss it.
Her expression crumples for a moment before she rallies and reaches out. She clasps his hand. It’s the briefest hold before she withdraws, but it seems to be enough for Felix.
He gives her a silent nod.
Niah’s chest rises with a deeply indrawn breath before she turns back to Gisela. “I will not challenge you. I ask only that you let all of us live.”
“Granted,” Gisela says before she, too, raises her voice. She’s barely fourteen, but she commands her clan like a queen. “This is a new day for the Scorn. There will be changes.”
She pauses before the smallest smile touches her lips. “Good changes that will only make us stronger.” Her eyes meet mine across the distance, then her focus shifts to Lana and Callan. “Never again will we go to war with our own people.”
Niah takes a knee and the other Scorn are quick to follow.
Across the way, Dane removes his bullets from around the second group before he exchanges a quick glance with Gisela. He has pledged his life to her and I’m certain that together, they’ll face any new challenges that might come their way.
Now, my focus returns to Micah. He hasn’t moved from my side but he kept his distance like I asked.
I hate to leave my family without the answers about me and Tyler that I’m sure they’re craving, but I know what I need to do next. My speech is quiet. “Micah, can you take me to the dragon’s light?”
“It’s safe in Grudge territory,” he says. “Callan told me where they hid it. I can take you there.”
He spreads his wings and lifts into the air.
I rise to meet him, deliberately making my wings a darker color so I won’t attract attention in the sky.
His eyes widen a little at the change that flows over my wings, but he doesn’t ask questions.
Together, we fly away into the night.
CHAPTERFORTY
Grudge territory is hidden well.
I never would have guessed that it’s located within a maze of old tunnels hidden beneath a human prison. It also brings home to me the harshness of Micah’s upbringing. Not that he didn’t have love in his life, but he was surrounded by poverty—and thrived in the face of it.
We meet Micah’s beta, Leon, where he’s standing guard at the entrance. I keep my distance from the older dragon with the wavy hair, but Micah bear-hugs him.
“Welcome back,” Leon says. To me, he gives a respectful nod.
