Page 27 of Red Dragon’s Flame

“Oh,” he said. “Sorry if I scared you.” After a second he added gently, “Your covers are on fire.”

He was right. There was a little smoldering flame along the edge of her blanket. Without thinking, she crushed it out with her palm.

Busted. Fuck. Normal people did not put out flames with their hands. Devon looked at her unmarked palm, then carefully put her hand down at her side.

Mikah and the other man looked at her, and then at each other. She waited for the exclamations, the questions, but none came.

The newcomer just shrugged and walked over to the second bedside table, balancing the tray on one hand while he shoved a clock and a box of tissues aside to make enough room to put it down.

“I thought you might be hungry,” he said to Mikah. “Her too, if she was awake.”

“Sean likes to feed people,” Mikah said to Devon. “He’s even a half-decent cook.”

“I’m fucking excellent,” Sean informed her. “In all activities that involve hotness.” He winked with exaggerated lecherousness.

That surprised a little giggle out of her. “Thank you,” she said.

He nodded and gave Mikah an exaggerated eyebrow raise.

“Go away,” Mikah said pleasantly. “Tell everyone I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

Sean rolled his eyes and left.

“Everyone?” Devon asked faintly. She didn’t like crowds. They made her claustrophobic, and lately also nervous in case anyone startled her and she accidentally burned them.

And they were all in danger from her being there.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mikah said. “They’re just waiting to figure out what we’re going to do with you.”

Double fuck. She really needed to find a way out of here.

Chapter 14

Mikah knew what he wanted to do with Devon. He wanted to run his hand down the fiery tattoo on her back, trace its curves, touch his lips to the hollow of her throat.

He wanted to kiss the wariness from her eyes.

And that was all crazy. He didn’t really know her—only the persona she projected online. For all he knew she’d been flirting with a dozen guys.

Although no one else had come to save her, apparently. Extra points for him.

Still huddled in the corner of the bed, she stared over at him, her eyes wary and defiant. She looked fragile at first glance—slim and fine-boned, with those wide not-quite-human eyes, high cheekbones and a delicate, mobile mouth. She had faint hollows around her eyes and in her cheeks, as if she didn’t eat enough.

But she had a strong chin, and despite the defensive posture, she somehow didn’t come across as vulnerable. Or terrified.

And she’d emanated flames hot enough to burn a human’s hands down to bone.

Beautiful but dangerous. And also independent and close-mouthed, probably for good reason. Whatever she was, she was no doubt used to having to hide it.

But he had to gain her trust—at least, enough trust to get her to agree to come to Al-Maddeiri, where she’d be safe. Safer. Safe-ish, anyway.

He nodded toward the tray. “Have some soup,” he said. “Or cheese toast.”

After a moment she uncurled and stretched her legs out, pulling the tray over to her lap. Picking up a wedge of cheese toast, she dipped it in the tomato soup and began munching.

That was a good sign. She wasn’t so wary, and she was well enough to eat. Mikah felt some of the tension in his stomach uncurling.

“Okay,” he said finally. “I have to ask. What are those winged things that are after you?”