Page 65 of Surge of Storms

My eyes flash open, and there’s Granger, pulling me from the pool. Aydan, Evander, and Zane emerge into the backyard in human form and gather around the pool, arms outstretched to help. Granger hands me off to them, but the movement has me screaming in pain.

Aydan cradles me to his chest, staring down at me. “We were so scared,” he murmurs, his voice thick with grief.

“So was I,” I joke, but it lands wrong, as they all stare at me.

“I’m so sorry,” Zane says, pain in his voice. “This is all my fault. If I had been more aware, if I had been stronger…”

“No, don’t even think that way,” I tell him, hating that he’s blaming himself for this.

Zane draws in a deep breath and his expression changes. “We need to check her over.”

A minute later, his hands are on me, moving my shirt. I hiss, shocked by how the small movement hurts. Zane’s hands are delicate on my uninjured skin as he inspects my back, my arms, and my legs.

When he’s done, he steps back, silent.

“How is she?” Granger asks.

Zane doesn’t answer.

I glance at his beautiful face. “I need to know.”

He hesitates, then nods. “I don’t know if you’ll be able to fly again.”

Tears sting my eyes, and then begin to roll down my face. Evander leans forward and begins to kiss all over my face, looking as distraught as I feel.Never be able to fly again? But I’m a dragon. Flying is like breathing to us.

“It is not impossible,” Zane says. “I have just never seen injuries that severe without lasting issues.”

I nod, overwhelmed.

“Can you handle shifting just once?” Zane asks, his voice gentle.

I think about it and shudder. “No.” I really can’t.

Tension sings between them as sharp as broken glass. I know they want me to shift, but I also know they don’t want to hurt me more.

“We need to get her to the healers,” Zane begins, and his voice breaks. “I am so sorry I failed to protect you.”

“You’re here right now. That’s all that matters,” I say, trying to reassure him even though it hurts to speak.

But based on the distraught faces of the men around me, my words don’t make them feel any better.

They carry me from that house to a waiting car in silence. No one seems to know what to say, but I know what they’re all thinking.Will she ever fly again?

TWENTY-SEVEN

Samantha

I limpmy way around the base, grateful for some fresh air. It has been three days since Malikay and his dragons kidnapped me, and the healing process has been slow. I’d shifted twice, but Zane had cautioned about shifting too many times. He’d said that our bodies need to do some of the healing on their own to get it right.

“Should we take a break?” Aydan asks.

All four of them stop and regard me with those gentle eyes of theirs. They’d been looking at me like that every second since they brought me back. Like if they brush me, I might break into pieces.

“I’m okay. Really, I am.” I smile, trying my best to reassure them, but they don’t look any more relaxed.

The beta dragons are spread out all around us. Some are flying in the air overhead. Some are walking on the ground. Aydan and Granger had taught them how to play football, which is now their new thing. Half-dressed men are constantly running around after the ball, laughing. It feels like being at a frat house.

“Meow.”

---