Page 24 of Leif

“You could stay with me.” I glanced down at her. I wanted her to stay with me, but not for any specific reason. That protective feeling still prowled in me, and I needed to give it time to fade. That might be easier with her closeby.

She smiled up at me. “Oh yeah?”

I nodded.

“So, let’s go.” With that, she headed toward the Jeep. I followed, and we pulled out onto the highway.

“You’re going to tell me what happened back there, right?” She glanced over at me as I came up to speed on the main road heading back toward the safe house we were using.

“It might be easier to wait until we’re back to have that conversation.” I decided I’d tell her everything. I’d trusted her to have my back; trusted her with my life. Why not trust her with this? Still, I hated putting the weight of my secrets on her. But I knew that not telling her had the potential to turn her into my own personal villain because she’d never stop wondering and asking questions. It would be better for her to find out form me, right?

“But you’ll tell me?” she sounded stunned as we sped along the quiet highway.

“I’ll tell you.” I focused on the road and getting us to the safe house in one piece. We could go back to headquarters later. For now, I wanted some time for her to heal, some time to talk in private, and a chance to keep under the radar from my brothers. Because besides Hitch, Ryker, and Draco, I didn’t trust anyone.

We drove along, talking about everything and nothing. Her upbringing, her parents, and how proud they’d be of her. I told her about my mother and father—obviously leaving out the dragon part—and about how I tracked people down and protected them for a living.

She laughed at that one. “You thought you were protecting me? I thought I was protecting you.”

“We watched out for each other.” I pulled onto the driveway leading up to the safe house, and Hitch came out, a relieved expression on his face. She slid out and pulled him into a hug.

“We’re fine,” she told him, running a hand over his head as he clung to her, his shoulders shaking. I took a moment to revel in this strangely family-like moment.

We weren’t a family, but it sure felt like it at that moment. She smiled at me over her shoulder, and Hitch raised his head, opening an arm in a clear invitation for me to bring it in. I did, and we hugged.

“I was so worried. Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Hitch squeezed me.

I chuckled. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy, kid.” I let him go and noticed the warmth in Mel’s expression. My heart dropped. It was time to tell her the truth. She needed to know, and I told her I’d tell her. I planned to keep my word. “Why don’t you head inside?” I said to Hitch, who nodded, a worried look in his eyes.

“Sure. Everything okay?”

I nodded. Everything was just fine. And hopefully, it would stay that way. “We’re just going to go for a little walk. Stay in, okay?”

He nodded and went back inside. Mel turned to me, a questioning look in her eyes. I moved toward the woods, and she fell into step beside me.

“I said, I’d tell you.” I took a deep breath, and she looked up at me in curiosity. “I’m a dragon.” I stepped over a log, and she followed, a laugh bursting out of her.

She laughed until she had to stop and catch her breath. “A dragon?”

I glanced down, seeing tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “A dragon.” I was trying to confirm it, but a concerned look filled her eyes.

“Are you feeling okay? Did you get hit over the head?” She pressed her hand to my forehead, clearly searching for fever as we stopped in a clearing. Moss deadened our footsteps, and the red pine needles coating the green were vivid.

“No, I really am a dragon.” I stopped moving and turned to face her.

She stared up at me, clearly unconvinced. “You’re serious.”

I nodded.

“Show me.” Her breathless demand sent my pulse into overdrive. With that, I shifted, showing her my true self. She gasped, backing up a step, and I stretched out. It felt good to be back in this form. I’d been neglecting it and regretted that now.

“Are you still…” She backed up a step, fear in her eyes.

I lay down flat and lowered my ears in a clearly submissive position. I didn’t want to scare her. It seemed to work because she approached, her eyes locked on mine. “Your golden eyes… is this why?” She reached out and ran a questioning hand over my golden scales.

I gave a nod, and she jumped back. So I went still again, reminding myself she needed to time get used to this.

The back of her hand pressed to her mouth in horror. Then her eyes locked on mine again, and she softened. She approached.

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