“But only two that matter, right?” Byron asks, bringing his plate in, piled with pancakes. I’m sure it takes a lot of food to feed those muscles.
“Stop reading my thoughts,” I retort playfully, trying to hide my nerves.
As for his question, I just don’t know. I don’t know what I’ll feel when I see Griffin, Seth, and Rainier again.
Van is quiet, his eyes narrowed as he pokes at his eggs. “We’ll have to go into town today to talk to Azrael’s people. Explain what happened.”
Byron nods. His gold hair is still slightly damp from his shower. “Maybe they can keep an eye on things while we’re gone.” He looks at me. “I suppose you might need some time together.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You would do that?”
Van nods, standing to take his plate into the kitchen. “We kidnapped you. It’s only fair that they get to catch up. I’m not worried, though. I believe you’ll choose the superior partnership.”
Byron looks over his shoulder at Van. “You think Griffin and Seth are paired?”
“I think Griffin and Rainier might be,” Van says. “The vision was a bit hazy when I saw them.”
Byron’s jaw drops. “But they hate each other. I mean, more than anyone else.”
Van shrugs a shoulder. “I think they might realize, like we do, that the end justifies the means.”
“Poor Seth,” says Byron, shoveling a whole pancake in his mouth at once. Even chewing with a comically full mouth, he’s unbelievably hot.
“Yes,” Van says. “Though, I’m not surprised no one wants to pair with him.”
“Too risky,” Byron says. “Without the blue dragon.”
“He could go off at any minute.”
“Go off?” I ask.
Van’s eyes go serious. “Lose control of his poison. Let it loose, destroying himself and anyone around. Shouldn’t happen yet, though.”
“We still have some serum, I think,” Byron says.
“I’ll check upstairs.” Van walks out of the kitchen and jogs upstairs, emerging from a room I haven’t been in yet. “We have some.” He’s holding a blue vial in his hand.
“Why?” I ask.
“We know Seth,” Byron says, eating another pancake. No one should make eating pancakes look hot. “He was the first to help us understand this place when we got here. He travels around.”
“So maybe he can help things go smoothly?” I ask.
“Hard to say,” Byron says, setting down his fork as he finishes the last pancake. “Either way, I’m ready for anything.” He folds his tanned arms, and the muscles bunch there, reminding me how I held on to them when Van was between my legs.
“Better control your thoughts when you’re with the dragons,” Byron says, golden eyes twinkling at me mischievously. “I don’t want to have to kill any of them when they attack me.”
I nearly choke on my juice. “What?”
“If you think about what we did and they hear it, they’re going to want to fight me immediately,” Byron says. “They won’t believe it’s what you could want.” His gaze shutters slightly. “Because everyone knows Van and I are assholes.”
“Slightly less asshole-y than I thought, though,” I say. “Maybe I can help them see that.”
Plus, no one has a right to tell me who I can or can’t be with.
Van just shakes his head as he passes us to go into the kitchen, and Byron bites his full lower lip.
“It’s going to get ugly, but we’ll try to make it as smooth as we can,” Byron says. “That’s all I can promise. But thoughts about what we did, no matter how delicious it was or how much I intend to go further next time, will escalate things with the other dragons.”
I nod. “Got it. Control my thoughts.”
“Great,” Byron says, pouring himself a glass of juice. “Now we just have to—”
He’s interrupted by a loud thump that shakes the ground, followed by two others. His eyes meet mine, and my heart starts to beat rapidly.
“Guess we should go out and see if we can make this right.”
Then I hear a voice that makes my heart leap more than I even expected.
“Get your ass out here, Byron!” Griffin yells, his voice achingly familiar, making my chest tight with emotion. “Van! Get the fuck outside before I burn down your fucking house!”
Byron’s lips curve up as he glances at me, then pushes himself up to leave the table. “Time to face the reckoning.”
I get up as well and catch him by the arm as he starts to walk out. “Don’t hurt them,” I say. “Don’t get hurt either. I don’t want any of you to fight.”
He leans down to touch my chin, then tilts my face up and gently kisses me. “It’s too late for that now probably. But as I told you, I’ll try to be fair.”
Then he turns his back on me to walk out, and Van follows him.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself forward. I’m excited to see Griffin, Seth, and Rainier. And I just have to hope, against all odds, that everything goes well.
Because I think my heart is split between five bad dragons.
Bad Dragons continues on the next page!
Part III
Soul of the dragons
Copyright © 2020 by Terry Bolryder
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
44
Griffin and Rainier are finally here.
I put up a hand to block the sunlight, though most of it is already blocked by Byron’s huge shoulders as he and Van stand in front of me on the front steps to greet the dragons.
Griffin is storming toward us, wearing a green flannel shirt that he’s shoving up toward his elbows, his auburn hair tousled by the wind, his wide jaw set tight. When he sees Van and Byron, his stare only narrows, hands clenching into fists.
That odd red aura starts to emanate from him, but then I see a hand on his shoulder as someone walks up from behind.
Is that Rainier?
That silver hair blowing in the wind and that handsome, sharp-featured face with those intelligent, glinting eyes could only be one person. The silver dragon.
The last dragon I thought would comfort Griffin at a time like this.
Rainier’s eyes gleam as his gaze meets mine.
I glance around for Seth, then see something lying in the grass behind them, shaded by trees.
“Oh no,” I say, running forward. “Is he okay?”
“Yes,” Rainier says, putting up a hand. “He’s just resting. It’s been a long flight. We’ve been looking everywhere for word of Van and Byron.”
“We move a lot,” Byron says, folding his arms and taking a step down from the porch.
Rainier is wearing a gray sweater and tight dark jeans that show off his long, muscular legs. Just looking at him makes my mouth water.
And Griffin is just huge. It’s interesting seeing him face off with Byron, since they’re both the biggest by far.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Griffin says, pacing with his hands clenched, having shrugged off Rainier’s comfort.
“Yes.” Rainier steps forward. “I would say kidnapping is one of those things that would necessitate violence.” He raises a hand, and a huge rock comes out of the ground.
Van moves toward them. The buzzing in the air I heard last night in the arena is back, and Griffin puts his hands to his head.
Rainier just glares, unaffected. “You can’t play with my mind.”
“Then I’ll hurt his,” Van says, nodding to Griffin. “Control your partner.”
“I won’t,” Rainier says stubbornly, though he waves his hand and drops the rock. “But if you don’t stop hurting him, you’re going to find out I can do more than throw rocks.”
Van cocks his head. “Oh, I’m sooo afraid. I’m the leader, the pur
ple dragon. Why would I care about the threats of the silver or red?”
Rainier’s eyes turn to silver slits. “Because together we could crush you, you broken piece of shit.” He takes another step forward, Griffin following. “Now you’re starting to piss me off as well, because you stole the woman we were protecting, didn’t give us any heads-up, and who knows what you’ve been doing to her?”
“Exactly.” Griffin slams his fists together. He hasn’t looked at me yet, and it almost feels like he’s avoiding my gaze. “Give her back.”
“We were just having breakfast, weren’t we?” Van asks Byron casually, pushing his braid over his shoulder “It was nice.” His smile is slightly cruel as he stares at Rainier. “Not as nice as what came before it.”
“That’s it,” Griffin says, and I gasp, wondering why Byron bothered to tell me to control my thoughts if Van was just going to taunt them like this.
“Wait,” I say, running out in front of Van and Byron and putting out my hands. “Don’t fight. Please don’t fight. A lot has happened. Can we just talk?”
The dragons all look at each other, and then I hear a low wheeze from the grass behind them. Seth.
I run over to him, my worry for his health superseding all else.
He’s on his back on the grass, still wearing that long black coat with the tubes on it, and he smiles at me when I lean over him, blocking the sun.
God, he’s prettier than I even remember, his face a practical work of art. But his blond hair seems duller, and the tips seem even blacker. His face is devoid of color, and his beautiful lips are pale.
“Long time no see, dragon heart,” he says weakly.
I kneel on the ground next to him, taking his hand. Any touch should help, right? “It’s good to see you again. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you out of the dungeon. Get you serum.”
“It’s not your fault,” he says, pushing himself up. “I should have known there might be a reaction between Griffin and Rainier. They’ve always hated each other.”
I look over to see that Griffin and Rainier are talking to Van and Byron stiffly but politely, as if all are in agreement not to fight.
They each glance over at us surreptitiously, then go back to whatever they’re talking about right now.
I narrow my eyes, trying to hear what they’re saying, and realize their lips aren’t moving at all.
“Dragons can read each other’s minds too,” he says with a low chuckle. “Probably working out a civil way to settle who you belong to.”
I swallow. “I’m not sure I want to belong to anyone yet.” I just want to help my sister.
Seth’s face is pensive, but he doesn’t say anything, just turns his face to the side with a sigh. “I’m tired.”
I feel like he is talking about a tiredness few others could understand. “How so?”
“The poison,” he says. “Trying to keep everyone from fighting.” He looks up at me. “From worrying about you. If you were safe.”
I put his hand to my cheek, wondering how I can touch him to bring comfort. “I’m fine. Van and Byron… they aren’t as bad as they seem.”
“I’m glad,” Seth says. “That was my bet. I tried to hold off Griffin and Rainier, told them that Van and Byron wouldn’t hurt you. But I worried. I felt like I was losing years off my life not seeing you.” He smiles, and it’s so bright it could black out the sun. “I’m glad nothing bad happened while I was gone.”
I look at the dragons still deep in intense conversation. Then I bend, trying to get Seth’s arm over my shoulder so I can help him stand up. “Come on. Let’s get you inside. You need rest.”
He pushes himself to a standing position, and though it uses all his strength, I can tell he’s trying not to overburden me.
Which I appreciate, given that when he’s standing, it’s clear he’s much taller and heavier than I am, despite being small compared to the other dragons.
“They’re just too big,” he mutters. “I’m snack-sized for your convenience.”
I laugh. “You’re just right.” No matter what Lee said about trusting Seth, I’ve liked him since I met him. He has helped me multiple times, even though he is going through a lot. I know he mostly just likes that I alleviate his poison, but—
“It’s not just that,” he says, though his voice is strained now that we’re walking. “Maybe it was that at the start. But you’re not afraid of me. You don’t think I smell bad. And you’re hot to make out with too.” He’s quiet as we approach the dragons. “But mainly, when you were gone, it felt like my heart was outside my chest, walking around unprotected.” He peers at me, and his eyes are glowing green, darker around the edges. “I don’t want to ever lose you again, Anna. Though, I know your position is hard.”
I nod at him, my throat tight because I don’t know what to do with anyone’s feelings toward me just yet. “Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate that.”
I wish I could say more.
As we pass the other dragons, I send them a glare. “I’m taking Seth inside for a cuddle and some serum.” When Griffin’s eyes widen and Byron takes a step forward, I shake my head. “He needs my help. You all stay here and figure things out. Because if you’re going to hurt each other, I don’t want any of you around.”
And I mean it as I keep Seth’s arm around my shoulders and we hobble together into the house.
I grab the serum off the table as we head upstairs, and for a second, I hesitate, remembering that Rainier’s had tranquilizer in it. But Seth is cool with Van and Byron, so it should be fine if—
“I don’t even care if it has drugs in it,” Seth says, interrupting my thoughts. “I just don’t want to die.”
“Here, come upstairs to my room,” I say, helping him. He seems to get a second wind and gently pushes away to pull himself up the stairs. I open the door to my room, and he collapses on the bed, facedown.
“Why did I have to be the black dragon? Of all colors, why black?” His voice is muffled, and I help him roll over so I can give him serum.
“What do I do?” I ask, holding up the vial.
“Give it to me,” he says, and I do. He plugs it into one of the connections and sighs as it clicks in. Then he just lies back, quiet while it goes into his system.
“So what is that exactly?” I ask. “Why is it blue?”
He pushes up on his elbows. “Because it’s simulated to be from the blue dragon. That’s who I probably would have been paired with if things had gone well.”
“Do you get along with Lee?” I ask, wondering if maybe Seth is a safer person to talk to about him.
Seth shakes his head. “I don’t really know him.” His eyes shutter. “I don’t really want to either.” His eyes are a more normal green now that the serum is taking effect. And by normal, I mean the most gorgeous, verdant, emerald green I’ve ever seen in an iris.
He smiles. “Still haven’t lost your appreciation for beauty, dragon heart.”
“Anna,” I say, though my tone is fond.
He reaches up to stroke my hair. “So what’s gone on since we’ve seen you, dragon heart?”
“Not too much. What has happened with you guys? I’m glad Griffin and Rainier haven’t killed each other.”
Seth lets out a long breath. “They realized how stupid it was once you were gone. Honestly, I felt Van approaching but thought it might be best if he took you. Griffin and Rainier had to work some things out, and I didn’t want you stuck in the crossfire… literally.”
“Even though it helps you to touch me?” I ask.
He moves to the top of the bed and lies down with his head on one of my pillows, motioning for me to join him. “You know, I’m almost more nervous to touch you simply for help with my poison now that you mean more to me.”
After a moment of hesitation, I let him pull me into his arms. It feels good to be there. Feels right to see him again. To see all of them. How can I have so many complicated feelings? How can I even face Griffin?
“It’s a hard
place to be in,” Seth says, stroking my hair back. “But I’ve seen them make a lot of progress.”
I smile up at him. “You always seem so level about it.”
He gets a faraway look in his eyes, like he’s remembering something. “I guess I’ve been in the Blur a long time. Longer than any of them. Because I was the one who attacked the blue dragon.”
My eyes fly open wider. “You what?”
“It was an accident. I didn’t have control. My rage got the best of me, and I lost everything. I learned quickly here that I needed to control my rage or my poison would destroy me and everyone around me. So yes, sometimes I do have strong feelings, but I tend to suppress and control them because I’m aware of the effects.”
“That’s mature,” I say uncertainly. “But it doesn’t sound pleasant.”
“More pleasant than the alternative,” he says, keeping his arms around me. “God, it feels good to hold you. I can see why I wanted to hug you so much before. Plus, you’re cute.”
I snuggle in against him. I don’t know if I’m enjoying this too much to stop or I’m just avoiding the inevitable reunion with Griffin, but I want to stay right here the whole day.
“It’s going to be okay,” Seth says, releasing me to push himself up on one arm. “Griffin is doing better, I think, with the idea of sharing. I think he and Rainier mean to offer themselves as partners.”
I gape at Seth. “You’re kidding. They hate each other.”
“They worked some things out,” Seth says. “I mean, look at Van and Byron. They used to hate each other. We all hate each other. Yet, for some reason, we’re all here right now, and no one is trying to kill anyone.”
“I guess they could be,” I say. “We aren’t out there. But Byron did promise—”
“Byron?” It’s Seth’s turn to gape. His face is oddly youthful and innocent that way. “Byron made you a promise? He doesn’t answer to anyone but his own ego. Byron—”
Bad Dragons: Special Edition Complete Series Page 31
