Page 124 of Born in Fire

“What’s the plan,” I say. “We’re not going to just let this slide, I imagine.”

“Well, I would have thought that would be obvious.” Elena narrows her eyes at me and then Caleb. “We rescue my mom.”

“Of course,” Caleb replies immediately. Then he pauses, and I can practically see his brain ticking over. “We move in forty-eight hours,” he says. “Elena needs rest, and you two need to adjust to the mate bond.”

“I’m fine,” Elena protests, but her exhaustion is visible.

“Two days,” Caleb insists, his tone firm. “Then we’ll find Lila. We do this right, or we don’t do it at all.”

As we finalize plans, I feel Juno’s quiet strength beside me, our bond humming like a living thing. Whatever comes next—war, family reunions, ancient mysteries—it feels good to have a shared sense of purpose. Especially with a woman who can walk through fire.

I’ve spent a lifetime not knowing what I needed to complete me. And now that I have her, I feel invincible. If finding Elena’s mother means defending our dragon way of life and my newfound happiness, I’ll do whatever it takes to do it.

We’re coming for you, Lila Ross.

And God help anyone who stands in our way.