Page 109 of Claim the Light
Then he focuses on me and the pain in his face eases. “Sophia.”
I want to take away his hurt, but I clamp down on my power. Sadness is important. It’s meant to be felt. Even if every part of me wants never to feel it again.
He steps toward me and I badly want to hug him, but I hold up my hand, keeping him at bay.
My palm is inches from his chest but I won’t make contact until I know I’m not a threat to him.
“Micah,” I say. “I need you to trust me.”
“I do.” His declaration is spoken without hesitation and makes my eyes burn. “Tell me what you need.”
“You have to keep your distance from me,” I say, my voice wobbling a little. “But only for now. Not forever.”
His jaw tenses, but he gives me a firm nod.
Beatrix has edged toward me on my left, while on my right, Lana has also gravitated in my direction.
Lana’s blue eyes are wide as her gaze takes me in, and I have no doubt that she can sense the immense energy within me. She gestures to the others to stay back. “Give Sophia space.”
I incline my head in a thankful nod.
She returns it with a gentle smile. She, of all dragons, will understand what it’s like to struggle with the nature of one’s inner self.
I take a moment to sense the location of my armor, safe on the other side of the rooftop but it, too, could be harmed by me, since it’s living metal. I send a mental command to it to go to Lana when I leave this place. I trust that she’ll keep it safe.
Turning to the others, I raise my voice and speak to all of them. “Tyler’s gone. His power is destroyed. He’s never coming back. The Scorn clan is now without an alpha.”
My focus moves to Gisela.
I’m determined that the peace I craved will be achieved tonight.
Once and for all.
“Gisela Scorn,” I say. “Do you claim the right to lead your clan?”
She holds her head high, her blue-black hair shining and her golden bullets glittering in the air. “I do.”
My voice becomes hard. “There is a right of challenge. Does any dragon here wish to fight to the death for this right?”
Within the circle of bullets, Niah is the only one who twitches.
Gisela lifts her hand and the bullets return to her side, leaving Niah free to move.
“Cousin?” Gisela asks.
Niah’s lips press together, the corners of her mouth turning down. Her chest is rising and falling faster than it should be, her forehead deeply creased. If she weren’t a Scorn dragon, I’d believe she was distressed.
“I’ve woken up from darkness,” she says, her voice rising. “My mind was caged within my own body, and I was compelled to act without autonomy. I had no control. In fact, I’ve never had fucking control. Not once. Now you’re asking me to submit to being ruled again.” She thumps her chest. “Icannot. Not when I finally have the chance to rule myself.”
At her declaration, my family tenses, and Gisela’s expression is fast becoming resolved to the inevitable battle.
Across the way, Dane is watching Gisela closely—watching her back—but it’s Felix who makes a move.
He has always been quiet but scarily so. A dragon of few words and a sharp mind.
His hair hangs loose around his face as he steps around Dane, releases his wine-red wings, and lands in front of Niah.
She tenses but doesn’t back away.
