The door closes. Silence settles between us.
Dragana studies us—K first, then me, then back to K.
“So,” she says. “The fire-blood remembers himself.”
“Not entirely,” K replies. “But yes. I know what I am.”
“And you?” Her attention shifts to me. “You knew already.”
Not a question. A statement.
“Not about him specifically,” I say. “But yeah, I know about dragons. I work with them. Have for months.”
“Interesting.” She reaches for a clay cup, takes a measured sip. “And yet you did not tell him.”
“It wasn’t my place.”
“No.” She sets down the cup. “It was not. Knowledge freely given is knowledge without weight. Better he discover on his own.” Her gaze sharpens. “But now that he knows… Now we must speak of harder truths.”
My pulse kicks up.
K leans forward slightly. “What truths?”
Dragana’s attention fixes on me. “Tell me about the men who hunt you.”
The blood drains from my face.
“I don’t—”
“Do not insult me with lies, girl.” Her voice is icy.
K turns to me, something shifting in his expression.
“They’re… contractors,” I say carefully. “Private military.”
“Military does not hunt fire-bloods in remote mountains. Not unless they know what fire-bloods are.” Dragana leans forward. “Do these people know of dragons, Mara?”
“Yes,” I murmur. Guilt floods me. Not only have I dragged K into this shitshow, but I’ve brought it to their doorstep. “Yes, they know.”
“And why are they here?” She tilts her head.
“They… I…” I trail off. Where the hell do I begin? “They’re at war with the organizations I work for,” I say at last.
“And who do you work for?” Dragana presses.
“The Craven clan,” I reply. “And a group of people who protect supernaturals from those who would exploit them.”
“The Aurora Collective,” Dragana says.
I blink. “How do you—?”
“I am old, girl. I know of the factions at war in the world beyond these mountains.” She studies me with ancient eyes. “And I know the Syndicate when I see their mark.”
“The Syndicate.” K’s voice is careful. Controlled. “Who are they?”
“Extremists,” I say before Dragana can answer. “Dragons who believe in purity. In dominance. They capture supernaturals, experiment on them, try to weaponize their abilities.”
“And they hunt you because—?”
