My heart stopped.
“I think you’re amazing.”
We had reached the school. Miss Hex came out hesitantly, but as soon as she opened the door, Lidi slipped past her and raced to me.
When I opened up my arms, she practically jumped into them. The two of us hugged each other hard.
When a big hand settled on my shoulder, she looked up at Fieran in awe.
“I hope you know your big sister is a hero,” he told her.
She beamed up at him, then at me, her face full of pride, and I felt my heart swell.
As dangerous as Fieran was for me…I couldn’t deny the fact that he made me smile.
Maybe that was the most dangerous thing about him.
I need to stay far, far away from him.
But as he turned and walked away, Lidi said, “Are we going to be safe when they leave?”
“The dragon shifters will stay until everything is back to rights,” I promised her.
Something about the idea of the dragon shifters being gone and everything being back to normal—as much as I should want it—hollowed out a strange ache inside me.
“Good, because they make me feel safe.” She hugged me again.
That was not what they made me feel.
Five
All day long, I convinced myself I had the best of plans to stay far away from Fieran. I was never going to see him again.
That night, he walked into the pub while I was working.
Actually, all five of them walked into the pub. And they were all tall, eye-catching, gorgeous beyond belief. But while they caused a huge stir, Fieran was the only one who had that impact on me. He was the only one I couldn’t tear my eyes away from.
Fieran’s eyes lit up when he saw me.
“Cara!” he called as if we were good friends. “I’m glad to see you again.”
I thought no one could take their eyes off the five of them, but suddenly, every eyeball in the place swiveled toward me.
“Hi, Fieran.”
The five of them seemed larger than life, as if their presence drew all the air in the room. As they took over a table, I made my way over to ask what they wanted. I was keenly aware of everyone watching me approach them.
I went to the opposite side of the table from where Fieran sat, but he was watching me with those striking eyes and suddenly, I was only keenly aware ofhim.
They ordered a round of drinks.
Fieran leaned back in his chair, an amused smile coming to his lips. “I feel a little strange having the hero of Stonehaven wait on us.”
Gods, the man wasloud.I flushed even hotter, if that were possible.
“What’s the story?” Jaila put her hand on my shoulder, smiling at me like we were best friends. She’d been two years ahead of me in school and hadn’t talked to me in years except to tell me I forgot the butter for the bread.
“It’s not important,” I said, cutting off Fieran, who’d clearly been about to launch into the tale. “Let me get those drinks for you.”
