We’d all been chit-chatting while waiting on the guys to finish up their meeting in church. Something that Pyro had explained to me they called their meetings.
I hadn’t expected to see Pyro so furious when he stormed out. Or that he’d speak to me the way he did. Ordering me to stay inside.
What am I? A damn child?
“I don’t know, but it’s best when things are like this that you listen to Pyro. Things are going on right now that we don’t know the full details of. They don’t tell the women everything, it’s their way of protecting the family,” Herja explains, taking a sip of her coffee.
I take a sip of my own and think about what she just said. I can see why they do this, but after last night, I’m feeling a little sensitive toward the way he spoke. Mostly because it’s a side of him I’ve never seen.
“I want to know what the hell is going on,” Evelin remarks.
“You might want to, but you need to listen to them. You, of all people, know if you go out there, your brother. Hell, Fire will have your ass.” Herja laughs.
“Mom, you’ve never let anyone tell you what todo,” Evelin states, that matter-of-fact tone slipping through her voice as she stands, planting her hands on her hips. “Are we seriously going to just sit here and not find out what the hell is going on?”
Herja laughs and shakes her head. “Of course not,” she says and gets to her feet. “Let’s go.”
The three of us walk outside, not seeing anything or anyone.
“Where are they?” I ask, scanning the area.
“At the gate,” Herja answers, starting on foot in that direction.
It doesn’t take long for us to find them all crowded at the gates. All of them blocking the view of what’s going on.
Herja places a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from walking any closer. “We don’t want to interrupt what’s happening.”
I nod and stand in the back listening.
“She’s not getting anywhere near you. Carina is mine.”
What the hell? Who is Pyro talking to like that?
“She carries the dragon mark and chooses any dragon she so wishes.”
“Not once the mating is complete, asshole,” Pyro snarls, speaking the truth.
“Not true if you mated her, then you can takechallenges, and I’m challenging you for what’s mine.”
Now, I’ve had enough. I don’t have to hear more, or do I want to?
Without thinking, I step forward. “Magnus,” I call out Pyro’s name. Everyone turns to where I’m standing just ahead of Herja and Evelin. “What the hell is going on here?”
“I told you to stay inside,” Pyro grinds out. “Get back to the clubhouse.”
“I don’t think so.” I frown, walk right to him without taking my eyes off him, and plant my hands on my hips. “You don’t dictate to me now or ever.”
I can visibly see the vein in Pyro’s neck throb as his jaw ticks. He’s pissed. More than pissed from the way his eyes are flaring with that fire inside him.
“My dearest.”
I stiffen at the use of those words along with his voice. I only heard it once, but I’ll never forget it. Cocking my head without turning fully to the man standing only feet from Pyro, I stare into the dark eyes of my caller. “It’s you.”
He grins and tilts his head slightly. “It is, I told you I’d see you soon, my dearest.”
“You need to leave,” I breathe, not wanting to be anywhere near him.
“I won’t be doing that.” He loses the grin and shakes his head. “I will not leave without the challenge with this one here,” he says, jerking his chin toward Pyro. “I have the right to challenge him, and he knows this. You have the dragon mark and that means you belong to the one who can protect you most.”
