Page 40 of Dragon’s Rebel

Rebel took the vial out of the box and uncapped it. Thorne waited, eyes glowing in the dark.

Rebel reached up and slowly stroked his nose. The scales were so soft. He was amazing—a magical creature, unique in his beauty.

And this might be the last anyone would ever see of him.

Hey, Lizard, she said.

It was the dragon’s voice, a hint of humor in it.

I just want you to remember you’re strong. And brave. And you have a very sexy tail.

There was a rumble of dragon laughter.

He opened his mouth, and she poured the serum inside. He swallowed.

At first, nothing happened. Then, without warning, his giant body seized, his back arching. He collapsed, shaking the ground.

His limbs thrashed, and there was no time for Rebel to get out of the way. She pressed up close to him instead, trying to avoid the flailing claws and head.

She heard a high, keening cry, like a train whistle, and then a gout of fire blasted into the air, singeing the overhanging limbs of the maple tree.

Holy fuck. If he rolled over on her, she was going to end up a puddle of jelly on the back lawn.

Rebel eyed the distance to the house, but even if she were able to dodge his teeth and claws and fire, she couldn’t leave him. She’d promised to help him, and she could sense his tormented mind reaching out for her.

She jumped up and grabbed one of the horns that jutted from the top of his head. Swinging herself up, she lay against him, straddling his neck. I’m here, she told him, hoping he could hear.

He seized again, head lashing, and Rebel used all her strength just to hang on.