“I can hear you just fine,” she said, feeling a little silly talking out loud to the creature. But it seemed rude not to answer her, and she had no idea how to do the whole mental telepathy thing.
The dragon gaped at her for a moment, looking as astounded as Scarlet felt.
How is that possible? she asked at last. Humans can never understand anything I try to tell them. Well, besides my Fire Kissed, of course, but she’s different. The dragon paused, peering at her with suspicious eyes. Are you sure you’re human?
“Uh, yeah, last I checked,” Scarlet stammered, still overwhelmed by the fact that she was actually conversing with a creature of myth and legend in a rundown Texas barn. If only Rebekah were still here—though it sounded like it was quite possible that her friend would not be able to hear the dragon, even if she were.
But Scarlet could hear her just fine. Much like she’d been able to sense her presence in the barn without knowing why.
“Maybe it has something to do with your blood?” she added, a thought striking her. “That’s how I was able to track you down. I mean, that’s my theory anyway.”
The dragon cocked her head in question. My blood?
“Yeah, you know,” Scarlet said with growing confidence. “Remember last night in the woods? You healed my arm with your blood. And ever since then, I’ve been able to feel you somehow. Like, where you are.” She considered this for a moment. “Maybe it’s like when people give vampires their blood; they become psychically connected for all eternity.” She couldn’t help a small smile at this. Imagine being psychically connection with a dragon! How cool would that be?
The dragon raised a scaly eyelid.
Are you a vampire?
“Well, no, of course not,” Scarlet admitted lamely, feeling her cheeks heat. She wasn’t sure if that had been a sincere question or if the dragon was teasing her. (A dragon…teasing her!) “Vampires don’t really exist, obviously. I mean, I don’t think they do. Of course up until yesterday I didn’t think dragons existed either, so really, what do I know?”
She was rambling. Babbling like a fool. To a dragon!
Dragons don’t really exist either, the creature informed her. Scarlet watched as she nudged something under a nearby bench with her nose. A moment later, a weak beam of light shone through the barn. Some kind of battery powered lantern? Well, not anymore anyway. As far as I know, I’m the last one. The rest died out millions of years ago.
She said this matter-of-factly, but Scarlet thought she caught a flicker of sadness in her eyes and was reminded suddenly of a movie she saw as a kid. A fantasy cartoon about the world’s last unicorn. The unicorn had been lonely, desperate to find others of her kind. She wondered if this dragon was lonely too.
“What are you doing in here anyway?” she found herself asking, looking around the barn now that she had some light. It was packed with rusty farm equipment and old saddles, and there were definitely bones of unidentified animals mixed within the hay. She wondered if she should be scared—this dragon was clearly not a salad eater—but then decided if she’d wanted a midnight snack, she would have already gotten started. “Did someone capture you last night after you healed me?” She frowned, suddenly angry at the idea of someone trapping the dragon in a place like this. A beautiful, exotic creature like her should not be locked up in a cage.
But to her surprise, the dragon shook her head. This is where I live.
“What?” Scarlet cried before she could stop herself. “You live here? In the Old McCormick barn? Since when?”
A few weeks? A month? I’m not entirely sure.
Scarlet, who couldn’t imagine spending ten more minutes in this dark and smelly place, shuddered. “Then why were you locked in?” she asked, trying to put the puzzle pieces together. “I mean, if this is your home and all.”
The dragon’s face fell, and for a moment she didn’t answer. Then she sighed. She says it’s for my own good.
“She?” Scarlet questioned. Another puzzle piece. “Who’s she?”
My Fire Kissed. She’s human, like you. She lives in the main house with the boys.
“And leaves you locked up in the barn?” Scarlet finished, feeling offended on the dragon’s behalf.
The boy used to take me out to fly, the dragon told her, looking up at her with heartbreakingly sad blue eyes. That’s how I found you in the cave. But then she found out. And she was angry with me. She says from now on I can’t leave the barn.
“Ever?” Scarlet asked, incredulous. “But that’s horrible!” She shot a glance at the house, her mouth twisting into a frown. She had half a mind to speed dial PETA or at least the Vista Animal Control. There had to be some kind of animal cruelty law against keeping an exotic beast captive in a barn twenty-four/seven—like when people smuggled in tigers from China and kept them in their apartments.
“Maybe I should have a word with Miss Fire Kissed,” she determined, rising to her feet. But the dragon leapt into her path, her eyes wide with alarm.
You can’t! she cried. She’ll be furious if she finds you here. And the boys might try to hurt you. The dragon stared dejectedly at the ground. I like you. You’re the only one I can talk to besides her. I don’t want you to get hurt.
Scarlet clenched her fists in frustration. “I know, but…”
Besides, she’s not here, the dragon added sadly. She went to the game. With the hunter.
“What?” Scarlet stared at the creature. “She’s not even here? She’s at the freaking football game?”
Fury flowed through her like hot lava. It was too much. This girl—who had been gifted the most amazing gift ever—a freaking magical talking dragon of all things—had actually chosen to take off and hook up rather than stay home and devote her life to the care and feeding of this beautiful, majestic gift she’d been given? What the hell was wrong with her?
“So what’s this chick’s plan then? Is she going to just keep you here forever? Until you die of old age?” Scarlet demanded. “Is that what you want?”
The dragon hung her head. It’s what she wants that matters.
“Who cares what she wants? She can’t even be bothered to stay home with you!”
You don’t understand. The dragon’s voice was anguished now. She’s my Fire Kissed. She knows what’s best for me.
Okay, that did it. Scarlet didn’t know what a fire kissed was exactly. But she did know the conversation was getting far too familiar. After all, how many times had she had it with her mother over the years of living with the monster?
It’s for my own good.
It’s what he wants.
You don’t want to make him angry.
No matter what horrible thing the monster decided to do, her mother always found a way to excuse it—and position herself permanently under his thumb.
Just like this poor, sweet dragon. This beautiful, regal creature who should be soaring through the skies, wild and free. Instead she was cooped up in a dark, smelly barn, her wings all but clipped, making excuses for a girl who obviously cared more about possessing her than keeping her happy.
It was time for some tough love.
“Look, I’m sure this girl—your Fire Kissed—is cool and all. She’s probably really nice. But you can’t just let her order you around. I mean, like you said, you’re a dragon, not a dog. You may share a bond, but that doesn’t make you her slave. You should be able to make your own decisions.”
A glimmer of light seemed to flash in the dragon’s eyes. Do you really think so?
“I know so,” Scarlet confirmed, now on a roll. “Like when you found me and saved my life. Which was amazing and awesome by the way—thank you very much. But what if you hadn’t? What if you had listened to this girl and stayed home instead? Then I’d be dead. Would that be better? If I had died?”
The dragon looked horrified. No, of course not.
“Look, I understand you feel grateful for all she’s done for you. But that doesn’t mean you have to always obey without question. You need to stand up to her. Tell her what you want, what you need. Insist on the respect you deserve.” She grinned. “Like, hey you—I’m a dragon! Hear me roar!”
She raised her fist in solidarity, starting to really get into the argument now. For a moment she imagined herself as some kind of dragon activist, fighting for reptilian rights. Of course, if this was the last one of her kind, it might not be much of a career.
Still, if she could save one dragon…
You’re right, the dragon said suddenly. You’re absolutely right. We’re supposed to be a team. I should be able to have a say.
Scarlet nodded eagerly, excited the dragon was actually listening to her. Unlike, say, her mother who would always blow off her protests and tell her she didn’t understand before making more excuses about why she needed to stay. Maybe Scarlet would never be able to help her mother—but maybe, just maybe she could help this dragon.
“Yeah! You tell her!” she crowed. “You tell her who’s the big, bad…” She trailed off. “Wait, where are you going?”
The dragon turned to look back at her from the barn’s entrance. To go find Trinity, of course.
“Um…” Scarlet shifted from foot to foot. “You’re just going to leave the barn? Right now?”
Yes. Why not now? The door is open. Who knows when I will get another chance?
Scarlet’s heart beat wildly in her chest. Suddenly this seemed very, very wrong. She followed the dragon outside. “Do you really think this is a good idea?”
It was your idea, the dragon reminded her pointedly.
Oh right. Scarlet bit her lower lip, her thoughts whirling madly. She’d been so eager to prove her point, so wrapped up in the similarities of the dragon’s situation and her mother’s that she hadn’t stopped to realize the creature would take her literally.
Had she just inadvertently set a fire-breathing beast on her hometown?
But she’s not violent, she reminded herself. She’s gentle. Sweet. She saved my life. She’s not going to go hurt anyone. She just wants to be free. And she totally has the right to be free.
Still, as she watched the creature spread her wings and push off on her back feet, leaping into the air, she worried. And she continued to worry as the dragon disappeared into the night sky. Had she just made a huge mistake?
Well, there was nothing she could do about it now. Shaking her head, she headed back into the barn, grabbing the video camera and pulling out the memory card, crushing it under her heel. Now that she knew the dragon on a personal level, there was no way she’d be able to exploit her online. She’d have to find another way to raise the money for her and her mother.
“Hey! Who are you? What are you doing in there?”
As she stepped out of the barn, her eyes fell upon a guy around her own age, running out of the farmhouse, brandishing some kind of strange-looking gun. Crap. Scarlet staggered backward, her gaze darting around the yard, looking for somewhere to run.
But the guy had already reached her. Grabbing her by the neck of her shirt, he yanked her toward him, gun to the back of her head as his blue eyes pierced hers with frightening intensity. “Who are you?” he demanded. “And what were you doing with Emmy?”
Emmy? The dragon’s name was Emmy?
“Emmy had to run a little errand,” she told the boy, trying to will her voice to stay casual. “I’m sure she’ll be right back when she’s done.”
The guy stared at her, an incredulous look on his face. “You let her out of the barn?” He looked up into the sky, his eyes wide and frightened. “Why would you let her out of the barn?” He slapped a hand over his face. “Oh man. Trinity is never going to believe this is not my fault.”
Scarlet’s heart beat wildly in her chest, the feeling that she’d just made a huge mistake raging back with a vengeance. “I was just…” she stammered. “I just wanted to help her.”
“Well, you didn’t help her,” the boy sputtered. “You put her in danger. Not only her,” he added, “but the entire world.”
Chapter Nine
“Look! There she is! There’s Caitlin!”
Trinity couldn’t help a small squeal of delight as she spotted her best friend, clad in a short blue skirt and matching tank top, enthusiastically waving a pair of blue-and-white pompons as she ran onto the field with the other cheerleaders. It was all Trin could do not to dive off the bleachers and tackle the girl with the biggest bear hug ever known to friend-kind. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her until she saw her face again.
“Remember what you promised,” Connor scolded, giving her a warning look. Which didn’t seem as fierce as it might have had he not been wearing a ridiculous fake mustache, plaid flannel shirt, and trucker hat. She knew her own disguise was probably equally silly: a blond shag wig to hide her trademark black curls and huge Hollywood sunglasses to conceal her dark eyes. In fact, she’d pretty much had to promise her firstborn child to get Grandpa to even consider letting her come to the game in the first place after Connor had presented her with the tickets last week; he thought it was far too dangerous. But the Dragon Hunter convinced the elder man that the opportunity for her to see her old high school team, The Mighty Oaks, take on the Vista Vultures in spring football was too important to pass up. And he would ensure her safety personally.
She realized Connor was still glaring at her. “I know, I know,” she grumped. “I’m not stupid, you know. Just excited.” She glanced out over the field at the players running to the line of scrimmage. The night was warm, with a slight breeze and the smell of barbecue from a nearby food trailer permeating the air. It was funny—back in the day she didn’t really even like high school football and would usually turn down Caitlin’s never-ending invites to attend one of the games. But now, the normalcy of it all was a little slice of Heaven.
Connor’s expression softened. “I know,” he assured her. “And I’m glad we got to come.” He grinned. “Go Mighty Oaks!” he added, grabbing her hand in his and raising it into the air.
The gesture was meant to be friendly—school spirit and all that. But the electric sparks that jolted through her made it feel otherwise, and her mind flashed guiltily to Caleb’s face as he’d pulled away from her in the Nether earlier that week. For one paranoid second, she imagined him watching her now from across the field, his eyes filled with hurt.
It’ll only make it harder. And it’s so damn hard already.
And it was. It was so damn hard. Both boys had given her so much—sacrificing everything they had, everything they were—to keep her and Emmy safe. One a knight in shining armor. The other her wayward rogue. It was crazy how two boys who looked completely identical on the outside could be so different on the inside, and even crazier how each of their differences excited her in a different way. If this were one of her teenage romance novels, she’d probably be having torrid affairs with both of them as she tried desperately to make up her mind.
But that was out of the question. Especially now, with the two brothers already at one another’s throats, the tension between them taut as piano wires and ready to snap at the slightest provocation. She had to stay strong, keep them both at an arm’s length. Love them both—but be with neither. Unlike her favorite heroines, she couldn’t afford to be Team Connor or Team Caleb.
In her story, it was Team Dragon or the end of the world.
Not that the whole dragon partnership was going all that well either. Emmy was still pissed at her, and Trinity had all but decided to skip the game entirely to stay home with her and try to make amends. But Connor wouldn’t hear of it. She’d been looking forward to this night for days. Emmy would have to understand. And if it made her feel better, they could swing by the Wal-Mart on the way so she could buy Emmy the last season of Merlin as a peace offering, which seemed like
a great idea. She hugged the bag to her chest now, imagining the excitement on the dragon’s face when she presented her with her gift. Emmy would have to forgive her and then they could spend the rest of the night curled up bingeing on their favorite show.
But first, the game. She leaned forward as the Mighty Oaks’ quarterback let the ball fly, straight into the arms of running back Mike Brukowski, who went tearing down the field, the ball gripped firmly under his arm. As he passed the group of cheerleaders, Trin noticed Mike nod his head at Caitlin, and Caitlin wave back with a shy smile. Trinity’s eyebrows rose. Her friend had had a crush on Mike since he transferred sophomore year. Had they finally hooked up?
Unexpectedly, tears misted her eyes. Once upon a time, she would have known that. She’d be the first to know that. Hell, she wouldn’t have put it past Caitlin not to text her a selfie mid–first kiss—unable to wait to share the news. They’d been so close. They’d shared everything. Now her best friend was a complete stranger with a life that Trin knew nothing about.
And vice versa.
It had only been three months, and yet so much had changed. She had changed—irreparably and forever—and she’d never have the luxury of this kind of normalcy ever again. Sometimes she wished she could take the blue pill like in The Matrix and go back to how things used to be. When she was a normal girl with normal worries of tests and teachers and boys who either liked you or didn’t. A girl who didn’t have the fate of the world falling through her fingers.
You’re being selfish, she scolded herself. The world needs you. Everyone out there on the field, in the stands—they need you. Even if they don’t know it.
“You okay?” Connor asked. He looked at her, his blue eyes rimmed with concern. Had he read her mind—overheard her troubled thoughts? No, he was far too polite to pry into her consciousness uninvited—it was probably written all over her face. “Do we need to go?”
“No.” She shook her head. No matter how painful this was, there was no way she was going to walk away now. This might be her last chance to embrace her old life—and she was going to hold on to it with both hands for as long as it lasted.