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“You must’ve scared him, Day,” Legend says reproachfully.

“You scared him,” snaps Day.

They start wrestling angrily, their huge bodies grappling in the dark. I watch, bemused.

“You’re not going to dismember me?” I ask.

“No way,” Day says. It sounds like his head is in Legend’s armpit. “Where would you get that idea?”

“Maybe from the fact you creepily followed me, whispering my name, and told me I can’t hide from you?”

“Oh. That,” Legend says. “Yeah, I can see why that might give the wrong impression.”

I exhale an exasperated breath. They’re a couple of fucking air heads. It didn’t occur to them that their weird behavior could possibly be a little unsettling in the dead of night?

“Can I have my phone back?” I ask.

“Sure. As long as you stop shining that light in our eyes.”

“Deal.”

The smell of smoke gets stronger when Legend comes closer. His hand brushes mine. His skin is warm. Almost hot. Weird, considering how cold it is out here.

“Tell me why you followed me,” I say.

I hear feet shuffling awkwardly.

“We want to bring you home, little dragon,” Day says at last.

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Because that’s what you are. A dragon shifter.”

“A dragon what?”

My heart pounds uncomfortably and I’m longing for my useless weapon of deodorant again. They must be crazy.

“A dragon shifter,” Day says. “Like us.”

“What does that mean? That you’re not human? You’re dragons?”

“We’re both,” Legend says. “And so are you, Ash.”

“This is ridiculous. I’m leaving now.”

I start walking. I have no idea which direction leads home, but I don’t care. I have to get away from these two. Maybe it’s all a stupid, elaborate prank. Maybe they’re filming me right now. I won’t give them the satisfaction of a crash out. But they keep following me. One of them lays a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Legend says.

I turn and look at them, wishing I could see their eyes. Then I might be able to tell if they’re crazy, pranksters or…

The third option. Telling the truth.

“Haven’t you ever felt different?” Legend says.

I moisten my dry lips. “Different how?”

Day steps closer. The air around me heats up, too violently to be explained by any scientific phenomenon. He lets out a breath. A plume of smoke hits me in the face. It doesn’t make me cough. I lean into it, inhaling its scent. My eyes shut involuntarily. It feels like… home.