Page 121 of Claim the Light
The atrium is soundproof, so I’m not concerned that Micah can overhear us—not even with his incredibly sharp hearing. We may have made this building more like a home, but we’ve also increased the securities. The glass around us is not only fire-rated and soundproof, but is also bulletproof.
“I’m not sure,” Callan says, studying Micah. “Sophia seems relaxed enough, but Micah’s been on edge since they arrived. From what he’s said, I gather he met his extended family and they’re more powerful than he was anticipating.”
Oh. Hmm.Sophia said something about strings, but I don’t see Micah being easily intimidated, and it doesn’t explain his tension now.
I have a sudden thought. “Is Sophia pregnant?”
Callan gives a laugh that rumbles through his chest. “How would I know?”
“Well, he’s standing over her like he thinks hounds of hell are coming after her, and he’ll tear them to shreds before they get within a mile of her.” I stare at Callan meaningfully. “Just like you did with me.”
“I didn’t do that. It was totally different.” He clears his throat. “It wasn’t hellhounds I was worried about. And, as it turns out, I was right to be worried.”
I reach up to press a kiss to his chin—the closest I can reach while holding Scarlett. He bends and closes the gap, capturing my lips and kissing me with such heat that it makes me wish we could slip back downstairs and use the time that Scarlett is asleep for other purposes.
I groan against his lips, my focus returning to the garden. “We need to go out there.”
“Do we, though?” he asks, his attention remaining on me.
I pull back a little, biting my lip at the desire in his eyes.
Even though peace has finally come to dragons, darkness persists, and it reminds me that these moments with Callan are to be cherished.
“We do,” I say, firmly repeating what he told me. “The moonlight won’t wait.”
It will only take a few more steps and Scarlett will feel the moonlight on her face for the first time.
I gaze down at her sleeping form while Callan proceeds ahead of us, holding open the atrium door for me.
His appearance at the door causes our family to become quiet, their expectant faces turned to us. Emika jumps to her feet and runs to Callan’s side, reaching up to hold his hand.
“Is she a dragon?” Emika asks, her voice hushed, her brown eyes turned up to Callan.
“We’ll know soon,” he says with a smile.
I take a deep breath, cross the distance, and step into the moonlight, allowing it to shine across my daughter.
Scarlett’s little forehead creases and her lips purse.
I hold my breath and then—
Delicate, golden scales form across her face and the back of her hand where it peeks from the fold of her swaddling cloth.
I hold on tightly as her eyes slowly open, her irises becoming pure gold as she looks up at me.
“She’s a dragon,” I whisper.
“A dragon!” Callan says, his voice quiet but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Our family breaks into happy murmurs as I step farther into the garden with Callan and Emika close behind me.
Everyone is smiling and I sense their need to come closer, but there’s one more change that may—or may not—happen tonight.
Kneeling on the patch of grass opposite Sophia, I quickly remove Scarlett’s swaddling cloth so that her back isn’t constricted, supporting her head and holding her upright against my chest. She’s wearing a loose singlet and her golden scales are clearly visible across her shoulders and arms.
There’s a part of me that hopes her wings don’t appear tonight. Especially since her scales are evidence enough that she’s a dragon. It’s true that the earlier the wings appear, the more powerful the dragon, but they’re also a burden.
Emika’s wings developed before she was five and she had to wear a clip on them so she didn’t accidentally betray her supernatural status to humans—or to other supernaturals.
