I tilt my head. “Why not?”
“Her mother is a powerful dragon shifter in Philadelphia. I first met her when she came here seeking refuge, and we…” He shakes himself. “She left when she was pregnant.”
His whole demeanor changes while he’s talking about her, a deep respect entering his tone, a warmth that started from the moment he mentioned his daughter.
I wait for him to go on and when he doesn’t, I ask, “And?”
His forehead creases. “And what?”
“Well, you’re both dragon shifters, no issues there, so did she tell you not to visit? Did you do something to hurt her?”
“Of course not.” The crease in his brow deepens. “And, no, she didn’t tell me not to visit.”
“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” I snarl at him in disbelief. “Go see her already.”
He hesitates and I fight the sudden rush of anger rising within me. “Myfather wants me dead,” I say, managing to keep my voice low. “I’ve just watched someone I care about be rejected on the basis of other people’s lack of acceptance. Youclearly love this woman and your daughter. So for fuck’s sake, go to them. Tell them that you love them and fucking act like you do.”
“It’s not that simple.” He shakes his head and then continues quickly—probably because the tips of my claws are appearing. “I mean, it wouldn’t be wise. The balance of power among dragon shifters in Philadelphia is precarious and my presence could easily put my daughter in danger.”
I sigh.Okay, so he’s not just being obstinate. “Then invite them here. It’s neutral ground.”
“Here?” He glances around. “You mean this island?”
“Why not? It’s got places to sleep. Plenty of dried noodles. Excellent fish.”Even if I’m craving pizza and hamburgers now.
“Well…”
I can’t help but shake my head at him. “You’re a creature of the light. You have every capacity to love someone with your whole heart, unlike us dark creatures who have to bite and claw for any good thing in our lives. So for fuck’s sake, Ryuji, Son of Rin and Yuma, don’t make me slap you.”
He lets out a laugh, followed by a quiet, “Fuck it. Okay.”
“Good.”
I fold my arms, anticipating that this might be the end of our conversation, but he begins again, this time with a careful tone. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
“Do you remember our first conversation about the nature of dark and light?” Ryuji asks. “When you challenged me to determine if you were wholly born of darkness?”
“How could I forget?” I reply.
“Well, since you arrived on my island, I’ve searched for clues about your nature as a supernatural. As part of that, I accessed the ancient texts that have been protected by the dragon masters since the old times.”
I fight the feeling of anticipation—or is it dread?—that he might have found out things about Galeia that I need to know. “What did you find?”
He continues to speak carefully. “First, I want you to know that this knowledge will stay with me. I haven’t shared it.”
Well, now I’m worried. “What is it?”
“In the history of our world, there have only been two other recorded cases of supernatural creatures who had claws exactly like yours.”
I’m holding my breath as he continues.
“The first was the Vandawolf himself.”
My eyes have flown wide. Sosia told me about the Vandawolf. Well, a little about him. He was a human who was captured and turned into a terrible beast by power-hungry beings whose magic nearly destroyed the world.
“The second was a woman who called herself ‘Galeia’.” Ryuji’s focus has been on me the whole time, but now his gaze is even more piercing. “Do you know whatGaleiameans in the old tongue, Veda?”
