I took a deep breath. I’d lived most of my life thinking my magic was actually crazy and trying to stop it. “I will overload and black out if I can’t use magic.” I studied the top of the table I still sat on.
“Collars are keyed to a master,” Everly explained. “They can let you use magic only with permission. Like the boy at my uncle’s forge.”
I took a deep breath. I could still use magic, but only with permission. I didn’t look at anyone. “Who will key my collar?”
“Xan,” Ezra stated.
“Fuck no,” Cayden hissed.
“Xan knows how to key a collar,” Ezra pointed out. “He can have it on her and working instantly. He or the Griersons will have to teach anyone else.”
“And that’s why it can’t be Xan,” Cayden stated. “He knows. He already has too much power over Quinn.”
I didn’t argue with that. I was shitting where I was eating, considering Xan. He ran this family, and though he hadn’t put me back on train duty, he could have. My fear had been justified, even if it was wrong.
‘I would never, Quinn. Ever. We need to talk, but not when you’re unwittingly sharing your thoughts with me. What happens between us has no bearing on your place in my family. I will do whatever you need to make you feel comfortable with that.’
Right, Xan was in my head. Responding to my thoughts with actual words. I blinked rapidly, desperately trying to digest all of that so I wouldn’t freak out. Xan stayed quiet while I breathed. I was getting good at adapting to impossible situations. Hell, it should go on my résumé. Humor—yes. Perfect. I was fine.
I focused. “All four of you.” I brushed Alex’s collar. “If I have to wear a second, then I want all four of you to have control over it and balance each other. Everly will teach you while we ride.”
“We’re going somewhere?” Everly asked.
I looked at Cayden, who took a deep breath and nodded.
We found each other's hands and squeezed. “There are people who need more help than I do right now.”
Everly pursed her lips as if to argue before letting out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I guess I have three students to teach something I wish I didn’t know.”
“Right now, I’m glad you know it.” I smiled sadly at my friend. “Thank you.”
Everly’s gaze misted with tears before she gave me another big hug.
The dragon hissed, demanding attention. He was pure chaos wrapped in scales; he couldn’t join us.
‘If you really want to keep him, we can try.’
I took a deep breath. I could barely take care of myself, much less a pet.
‘Ezra will take us to the Alun while the others prepare. And when this is over, you can have as many pets as you want.’
I snorted and pictured a room of fluffy cats.
Sheer terror flowed from Xan.‘Whatever you want.’
Chapter 13
Quinn
IsatintheAlun with my crystal magic lighting it. The dragon purred in my arms while Ezra held Xan’s body in his lap. The fight was gone—erased so completely that only the dizzying patterns of glowing lines and shapes remained.
“I just… put him on the floor?” I asked.
‘Yes,’Xan said in my mind.Just like your other dragons. The Alun will neutralize the magic and send it back into the currents of the world.’
I looked at Xan’s motionless, slack face. He was trapped in my head now. But what would happen when he didn’t need to be?
‘We don’t have to label it,’Xan responded to my thoughts.‘We don’t have to go fast, but we want to explore the possibilities with you.’
