William jerked the case, nearly taking me off my feet as the mud squelched around my boots. "You don't get it, do you? We own this valley. We own you. You walk away, or you get crushed."
"Go to hell," I shot back. "I have everything I need to shut you down."
A roar, deep, angry, almost seismic, ripped through my head. Caden. A challenge so primal I couldn't believe William didn't hear it.
He yanked the sample case again, but all I could hear was the echo of the dragon. Every cell, every bone in my body snapped to attention.
I clung to the box, refusing to let go.
Backup was on its way.
Chance
Two hoursinto our flight lesson, Flora dropped from the air, hit the landing awkwardly, then threw up her wings in triumph. She waved one golden wing at Tash, who was heading down the hill toward the stream.
Did you see that? I didn't even break my nose."
I whistled. "Next time, try it with your eyes open. Adds to the thrill."
She snorted, doubled over with silent laughter, then sprawled flat in the grass, wings fanned out for the sun.
Fifi and Flora were doing great, but no way I would've called this easy. Sixteen years of repressed magic don't just fall into line because I asked nicely. Still, the kid was stubborn, my kind of stubborn, andafter three passes up the meadow, her wings had started catching real air, not just awkward leaps that left her flailing in the grass. She'd flown pretty well the other day with Mother and me, but we'd practically lifted her into the air and kept her supported the whole time. This was her doing it entirely on her own.
"For a rookie, you're crushing it," I shouted from the porch.
She rolled her eyes, but her tail flicked with pride. I'm a natural, Dad.
Man, I loved hearing Dad, whether it was from Mere, Fifi, or Flora.
The sun was out for the first time in days. The breeze was a bit strong, especially for a new flier, slicing across the ridge, but Flora had handled it. Her first solo landing had ended with a faceplant in a patch of moss, but she hadn't snarled or sulked. Just dusted herself off, flexed her claws, and took another lap. I couldn't have been prouder.
I kept an eye out, but the world up here was safe. No strangers, no bullshit. Just us and whatever the mountain wanted to throw our way. I let her bask in the sun for a while, just enjoying this time with my daughter as I tried to think of ways to bond with Mere. It was easy with Fiona, given our dragons, but Mere was going to be a bit of a harder nut to crack. Icaught the scent of oranges from the kitchen. Mom, probably baking up another apology batch of muffins.
But the air buzzed. Something electric. Like the air before a thunderclap. Something wasn't quite right. I needed to clap eyes on Tash.
Fifi rolled over, wings vanishing as she shifted back. She yanked her hoodie on.
"Are you going down to the creek?" she asked like she could read my mind.
"Yeah. Your mom could probably use a hand with the samples. She's probably cussing the SkyArc cameras by now."
Fifi wrinkled her nose. "They're creepy. I'm gonna crash. Wake me up for lunch."
I could see half the valley from here, the way the creek cut through the trees, the line of willows bending over the far shore. That's where Tash would be.
I checked my phone. No new messages. I held off on texting. I didn't want to come off like a stalker. She needed space, especially after how intense Christmas had been. I wasn't about to be the guy who hounded the woman he was supposed to be wooing.
But fuck, I wanted to.
So I waited. Gave her a couple of minutes, then took the long way down, the path that snaked behindthe old orchard before turning back straight toward the creek.
The woods thickened, branches clawing at my sleeves, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was her.
Funny. I'd survived enough heartbreak to sink a battleship and two bone-headed brothers, but none of it rattled me like the idea of screwing this up.
With each step down the trail, the air charged. Seriously, something was wrong. Every hair on my arms stood up. Caden stirred in my chest, teeth bared.
Then it hit.
