by Devyn Jayse
I heard footsteps approaching me. I looked up and gripped the mop handle in a white-knuckled vice.
Leire looked down her nose at me. She was shorter than me and yet still managed to do it. "So they're working you hard? Have you done enough menial tasks to repent for what you did to me?"
"I'll never be sorry for what I did," I said. I made a point to glare at the several bruises and healing cuts that littered her face.
Leire crossed her arms. I narrowed my eyes and raised my mop as if it were a weapon. "You're getting quite the reputation of being a troublemaker," she said.
"You must be listening to the wrong people. Among the dragons, I've gotten a reputation of a fierce fighter that constantly beats you."
"You got lucky," she sneered.
"Twice."
Her face flushed. "You want a rematch? I'll give you a rematch."
"Fine. State the time."
She considered it. "Tomorrow. Midnight. In the courtyard."
Leire stalked off before I could even agree to it.
I stared after her retreating form. She was plotting something, I would put money on it. Maybe she was going to bring others with her to the fight. I wondered if I should ask Beatriz and Pol if they would join me. I shook the idea out of my head. Beatriz wouldn't want to get in trouble and it was unfair to drag Pol into it even if he wanted to. Whatever Leire had planned, I'd meet it alone.
I dropped the mop head to the ground and let out my frustration on the floor, scrubbing it violently.
"What did it do to you?" a voice asked behind me.
I whirled around, holding the mop out like a sword. Quentin raised his hands in the air. "Whoa there, it's just me. Don't stab me with a mop. I'll never hear the end of it."
I lowered the mop, feeling sheepish. "Sorry about that."
"What happened?" He studied me.
"I don't want to talk about it. Sorry."
He put his hands in his pocket. "I asked Beatriz and Pol and they said the same thing. What's going on with you three?"
"There isn't much to say." I started stabbing at the stone floor with the sopping mop again.
"Listen, if you need to talk to someone, I'm here for you. Like I said, this whole thing is weird and living with strangers doesn't make for the best situation. If you need a friend, just find me."
"Thank you." I appreciated his kindness but didn't know how to respond properly.
He pulled a hand out from his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, well... I guess I'll be seeing you." He glanced from the mop to the floor. "Don't destroy the floor."
I watched him leave, wondering if there was something more to his offer. I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts from my fuzzy mind. I couldn't afford to think of that. I had enough issues to deal with.
I had been so scared of people finding out my secret that I'd forgotten my friends. Now that they'd discovered the truth, they felt betrayed and probably just as scared as I was. What had I done? I had run away from them instead of asking them for help. I picked up the mop and bucket and returned them to the Dungeons.
My heart was in my throat as I climbed up the stairs and made my way to our wing. I walked to my room but hesitated. I knocked on the door next to mine.
"Yes?" a voice said from within.
"Can I come in?"
"Yes."
I opened the door and walked into Beatriz's room.
I looked at her. "We need to talk."
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Acknowledgments
This book is dedicated to my brave friend, Farah. I’m in awe of your strength and courage. When I grow up I want to be just like you. I love you very much.
Thank you to Patience Uhlman at 29 Pilgrims Editorial Services. The book is better for your services. Any errors found within this book are my own. Seriously. Patience tries really hard but I am stubborn at times.
A special thanks to Andrei Bat for the gorgeous cover. This is only the second in a series of covers for Must Love Dragons and each one is more stunning than the last. Thank you for your outstanding work.
And finally, I’d like to thank you, my reader, for making it all the way to the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you. I can’t wait for you to see what comes next!
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I will make it worth your time.
About the Author
Devyn Jayse is an author of fantasy and magic novels. When Devyn is not scribbling ideas in her journal for her next project, you’ll find her planning her next travel destination. As of this moment, it’s Barcelona. Are you surprised?
For more information:
www.DevynJayse.com
[email protected]
Also by Devyn Jayse
Supernatural Slayer Series
Supernatural Slayer
Immortal Blood
Shade Hunter
Must Love Dragons Series
Beautiful Magic
Hidden Power
Thirteen Rules
Magic Runes Series
Magic Runes
Cursed Blood Series
Magic and Witches
Dare Valari Series
A Sword of Fortune and Fate
A Sword of Shadows and Light
