Page 27 of Claim the Light
Melisma is Lana’s mother. She and Lana were recently united after Melisma spent years in hiding with the Grudge dragons. As for Leon, he is an older dragon, strong but sensible.
“Okay,” I say, making a quiet decision. “I’ll go to the veil. But only for a week.”
Micah looks like he’s about to argue and so do Lana and Callan.
I hurry on. “Micah, it’s incredibly generous of you to offer to leave your clan for a time, but it can’t be indefinite. They’ve suffered too much already. They need their alpha and I won’t be the one who takes you away from them.”
His expression softens, and I quickly turn to Lana and Callan. “As for my own needs, I need to know that I’m coming back out. If I’m going to train, then I need a deadline. A goal.”
They still look like they’re going to argue, but I hold up my hand. “If I need more time, then I promise I’ll ask for it, but for now, I need to put a limit on hiding. Otherwise… it feels like I’m running away from the world. I don’t want to do that.”
Lana’s expression also softens. “Twoweeks,” she says to me. “You’ll need at least that.”
I give her a sly smile. “I don’t know. If you recall, I’m a quick learner.”
When Lana first started training me, I picked up combat skills quickly—far faster than I think she anticipated. I even managed to knock her flat at one point, although I’m a hundred percent certain that was beginner’s luck.
At Lana’s firm stare, I capitulate. “Okay, two weeks, but if I’m done earlier, then I’m coming out.”
“Agreed,” Lana says.
At that, Micah turns to her. “Can you get a message to Melisma so that my clan knows what’s going on? It’s important they understand my decision.”
“We’ll explain everything and warn them about this new danger,” Lana says. “They need to know about Tyler.”
“Thank you,” Micah replies. “Please know that if you need a safe place to keep the dragon’s light or if you’re worried that Emika may be in danger, my clan can hide you in our stronghold. They’re accustomed to staying hidden and our hideout has never been breached. The same offer goes for Gisela, Dane, and Felix.”
“I appreciate that, Micah,” Lana says. “But we won’t take the fight to your clan unless we need to.”
Beatrix huffs loudly and narrows her eyes at Micah. “I notice you didn’t extend the offer of sanctuary to me.”
Micah gives her a brief smile. “I don’t need to because you’re coming into the veil with us.”
She arches her eyebrows at him. “Am I?”
Isaac’s shadow falls over her, his features stern. “You are.”
CHAPTERTEN
Beatrix turns a hot glare up at the white-haired angel, apparently completely unfazed by his ethereal features, her lips pursed and a scowl on her face.
I expect a strong retort from her—nobody tells Beatrix what to do—and I’m not disappointed.
“Like fuck I am,” she snaps. “I’m staying here to fight whatever battles need to be fought while Sophia trains in peace.”
Isaac crouches to her again, his big hand reaching slowly and carefully toward her.
She watches him approach, warily eyeing his hand, but she doesn’t back away, stubbornly glaring back at him until he slips his palm to her cheek.
Her dark eyes clash with his stormy ones.
He speaks, low and soft. “Tell me you don’t feel any remaining darkness in your soul and you can stay here.”
Beatrix’s lips part as if in surprise, but then she shivers. And rapidly scowls. She lifts her head high, although she doesn’t push his hand away.
Before she can speak, Isaac continues. “If you have any doubts, then you need to come with us to the veil, where your heart can heal.”
Her jaw tightens, a stubborn response. “I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”
