“What are you doing? What was that? A dragon? But that’s impossible…” Cassie trailed off, frowning. “Hone, what is up with your tattoo? It’s glowing red.”
“Stand back, Cassie,” Emma snapped.
Hone knew he should shift, but he hesitated. “Cassie.” He embraced her before giving her a swift kiss. “I love you, Cassie. Do whatever Emma and Jack tell you.”
Walking away was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Cassie pressed her fingers to her lips. “What’s going on?” Jack and Emma jumped into action, expressions tense as if they were preparing for war. “Why are you brandishing a gun? I didn’t think guns were legal in New Zealand. What is Hone doing? Did you see his tattoo?” She wandered toward the door. “I saw a dragon. Itwasa dragon. Did you see it?”
“Cassie.” Jack’s sharpness had her freezing three steps from the door. “We’ll explain everything later. Right now you need to stay with us. Get behind those chairs.”
A high-pitched shriek filled the air. Spine-chilling. The tiny hairs at the back of Cassie’s neck lifted, and when the screech repeated, she took half a step back. Second thought, she didn’t want to know.
“What if she burns down the house?” Emma asked. “It’s not safe in here either.”
“Who? What are you talking about?” Cassie demanded.
“She’ll pick us off one by one if we’re outside where she can see us. Hopefully, Hone can keep her busy until Manu and his brothers arrive.
A roar thundered through the air, deeper and fiercer than the first shriek.
“W-what is that?”
“They’re both in the air now. Emma, you remember where to aim?”
“The head, between the eyes.”
“Good. Don’t take any risks, babe. And don’t shoot Hone by mistake.”
“I won’t. I’ve been practicing.”
“Cassie, stay behind us and out of sight. I don’t want Hone distracted,” Jack ordered.
“But—”
Emma gripped her upper arm with her gun-free hand. “Promise, Cassie. This is important.Promise.”
The tension in the room grew, and Cassie dragged a jerky hand through her hair. Something…a d-dragon…
“Cassie!”
She nodded mutely at her friend. Hone’s dragon tattoo…
Jack strode for the door, and Cassie realized he carried a gun too. Emma trailed him, alert and weapon at the ready. A harrowing scream rippled over the landscape and trepidation liquefied her limbs.
Cassie staggered, gripped the kitchen counter and swallowed hard. What the hell was happening?
Jack and Emma disappeared.
A shot rang out.
Cassie winced. She couldn’t stay here, wondering what was happening. She inched toward the door, switching off the light at the last second. Twilight had fallen, and it took a few seconds for her to focus.
Jack and Emma had separated. Emma stood against the wall of the house to her right. She couldn’t see Jack since he wore dark clothes and blended with the evening light.
Another of those horrid shrieks—enraged and frustrated—had every hair on her body standing to attention. Her gaze rose skyward, seeking the source.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
