“Oh, I absolutely am, vixen.” His expression grew harder. “But an unclaimed Storm Summoner? Every dragon lord would kill to possess that kind of weapon.”
At his words, she rubbed her temples and took a step back. “I’m not a weapon.”
“No. You’re not.”
“But how?” she demanded. “I don’t have any magic in me. Most days, I’m overlooked, practically invisible. I can’t have that kind of power.”
He didn’t answer. Just watched her in an unnervingly quiet way that made her stomach drop.
“What?” she demanded. “What aren’t you saying?”
He exhaled deeply, the sound low and weighted as he looked up at the jagged peaks, the sun sliding behind them. “To understand this, I have to explain something else first.”
Her heart in her throat, Ash nodded.
“As a Guardian of the human realm, I—and several others—are tasked with keeping mortals safe from demons. Recently, Michael?—”
“Whoa.” Her hands flashed up. “Demons? Michael?”
“Yeah. He’s the archangel and our leader.”
Ash gaped at him. Dragons in another realm, fine—she’d seen them with her own eyes. But angels and demons walking around Earth?Dear God.
She rubbed her temples. “Go on.”
“A few years ago, a prophecy came to pass—that the line of the fallen Watchers would rise again. Some of their descendants would possess powers beyond anything ever seen.” His gaze held hers, steady and quiet. “Some have already been found.”
“Oh, brilliant.” She laughed, the sound like gravel. “So, on top of she-dragons wanting me dead and males wanting to own me, there’s a prophecy breathing down my neck? Nothing to worry about, then. Please, continue.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Ash.” His voice gentled. “But the reason I have to explain about the Watchers is—though Michael must confirm this—I’m certain you carry their bloodline.”
“What?” she rasped.
“The ones we call psionics.”
Chapter
Ten
Ash shookher head and tripped back. Her spine hit the cave wall, hysterical laughter bubbling up her throat as those infernal tingles raced beneath her skin. Even the air hummed, eager to confirm the chilling truth.
Her knees gave out, and she slid to the ground, her entire world tilting. Her whole life—every belief she’d clung to—was swept away with a few words.
“Ash.” He crouched in front of her, and she drew her knees up, hugging them tighter. “It’s nothing to be scared of.”
“Easy for you to say.” Brittle laughter broke free. “I didn’t need to go to the Himalayas for answers, did I? You knew—youknewthe entire time.”
“No.” He touched her clenched hands, but not even his immense warmth could shake the chill settling over her. “Not at first.”
Mouth clamped shut, she glared at him through the strands of hair that had fallen over her face.
“I…” He shifted on his haunches, frustration tightening his features. “When I licked the blood from your scraped wrist back at the abbey, that was when I felt the connection?—”
“No!” She shoved him hard, and to her shock, he landed on his backside. The absurdity of it almost cracked through her panic. Almost. “This cannot be happening. I’m not this psionic person!”
“Ash.” He surged to his feet, towering over her.
“Don’t.” She threw up her hands like a shield, static snapping in the air, sparks crackling.Dammit.She rubbed her palms against her thighs. “Just finish what you were saying.”
