Page 132 of Taken By Fire

Hargen’s expression softens slightly. “They’re right, Lila. This is something I have to do alone.”

“Why?” she demands, frustration coloring her voice. “At least tell me why.”

He hesitates, conflict evident in his face. Finally, he sighs. “Because someone I thought was dead… isn’t.”

The cryptic answer hangs in the air between them. Lila stares at him, confusion giving way to something else—understanding, perhaps. Or recognition.

“Who?” she asks, her brow furrowed.

But Hargen just shakes his head, already moving toward the door.

“I’ll be in touch when I can,” he says, not answering her question. “Stay safe. Stay together.”

He pauses at the threshold, looking back at all of us gathered in this strange moment of crisis and connection. His eyes find mine last, holding my gaze with an intensity that speaks louder than words.

Take care of her.

I nod once, the message received. Dragon to human. Mate to family.

Then he’s gone, the door closing behind him with quiet finality, leaving us with more questions than answers and the certainty that whatever comes next, nothing will be the same again.