“Trying to introduce Cobalt to TalonStorm?”
I jumped at Jade’s voice behind me. If it was Aurum or Saffron, I would’ve bristled at their interruption, but Jade was fine. Out of my six brothers, he was among the least irritating.
I huffed. “No.”
“Ah.” He tilted his head and pushed his glasses up. “Something else?”
I shuffled on my feet. Would Jade help my case if I told him the truth? He was older than me, so he had more seniority, and next to Cobalt, he was the most responsible.
“I... I need to ask Cobalt something,” I admitted.
Jade’s thin brows rose. “Oh? It sounds serious.”
“It is.”
A low snort came from nearby. My guard went up as Crimson strolled into view and stood next to Jade. He wore a brand-new suit that he was clearly showing off. He had nothing better to do than walk around and gloat about his dumb hoard.
“Thystle is a sixteen-year-old dragon who gets everything he wants,” Crimson prattled. “How serious can it be?”
Jade shot him a wry glance. “You were sixteen once, too. Don’t you remember how important everything felt back then?”
A rush of anger seared inside me. I hated when my older brothers talked about me like I wasn’t there. I clutched my CD player tighter. My claws threatened to burst out of my skin, but I kept them in check to protect my comfort item.
“Don’t you have a suit to have sex with?” I spat to Crimson.
He scoffed. “I wouldneversully my hoard like that.”
“Whatever, just go away!”
“Touchy,” Crimson grumbled.
“I’ll take care of this,” Jade said, gently urging Crimson to go the fuck away.
Fortunately, Crimson got the hint.
“Good luck,” he said to Jade under his breath before striding down the hall to show off his new suit to anyone who gave a shit—which was nobody.
But Crimson’s comments soured my mood and raised my hackles. Who was he to judge how serious my problems were? He still thought of me as a dumb, ignorant kid.
What if Cobalt did, too?
My anxiety worsened. My talk with Cobalthadto go well. There was no other option.
“Don’t mind him,” Jade said, composed as ever. I didn’t know how he did that. Staying calm under any circumstance was like his superpower. “Do you want to talk it out?”
I chewed my lip. Crimson had shot my nerves, so now even speaking to Jade felt like a challenge. But if I couldn’t even tell Jade, the least judgmental of my brothers, how could I face Cobalt?
Once again, I pictured Aquila’s hand on my shoulder, reassuring me. It gave me the strength I needed.
“I’m going to ask Cobalt’s permission to leave the island,” I said. “So I can see TalonStorm in concert.” Jade’s eyes widened slightly before returning to normal. “I see.”
His lack of reaction made me nervous. That could’ve meant anything.
“Well, I know how important they are to you,” Jade said. “It’s worth asking.”
My spirits rose, if only a little. A gentle nudge in Cobalt’s direction was better than nothing.
Jade wished me luck and left me alone. I mustered my courage and knocked on the massive door.
