Page 37 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

I dropped to the ground and another shot sounded, clipping my side as I scrambled back to my feet. Pain lanced through me as I gritted my teeth, trying not to cry out.

Those bastards shot me.

“I’m going to shoot back if you don’t stop shooting at me, you dicks!” I used my driver’s side door as cover, getting them into my sights. “I want to see the sheriff. Now! Tell him Ember Thurman is back.”

“I ain’t heard of no Ember before,” a rough voice said.

Great.Of all the times to not remember me, this was the last possible—

“That’s Willy’s kid, you dummy.” My savior sounded familiar, but it was hard to tell most of themale voices apart. “You guys hear that? Ember Thurman’s back.”

I relaxed my grip on my pistol and my hand fell to my side. Pain made me shiver and gasp. My shirt was soaking wet. “I need the sheriff.”

And probably an ambulance.

But they were still in position to shoot, so I wasn’t leaving the safety of my door until I knew where everyone stood.

“He’s on the other side of town. Ever since they called for martial law this weekend, we’ve been dealing with travelers trying to come this way.” The first man didn’t sound so suspicious anymore, but he hadn’t removed his face covering so I couldn’t get a good look.

White spots were dancing in my vision anyway. “Martial law?”

“Didn’t you hear the news?” I knew that voice. Fergus pulled his neck gaiter down so I could see his yellowed grin. He was still missing that tooth that’d been knocked out in eighth grade. “All them protestors are getting out of control. You must’ve seen it when you were in the big city.”

He gave a little whistle. The same one they always did to describe the fancy, outside world so removed from here it wasn’t funny.

“Must’ve skipped my attention.” I swayed a little on my feet.

The pain was going numb now, and it was freezing cold. I clenched my jaw as I tucked my gun in my waistband, taking a chance as I lifted my hands. “I need some help.”

“Seems everyone needs help these days.” One of the old men motioned to the others. They stayed in their positions despite Fergus walking toward me.

My childhood classmate gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m not sure Hillary will be okay with you asking for the sheriff.”

“And why is that?” I swallowed hard.

Please no.

“Tony got elected a few years ago. He’s the sheriff now,” Fergus said.

I was going to be sick.

It was just my luck that I’d come back to the town that was now literally run by my ex-husband.

Fate was a bitch.

“Please,” I said anyway, feeling lightheaded as more blood soaked my shirt. “There’s a man named Kieran who built a house on my land.”

“The government seized your ranch.” The old man behind Fergus spit on the ground. “He’s been there for years now. It ain’t yours anymore.”

This can’t be happening.

The radio at Fergus’s hip buzzed and I heard the voice I’d never wanted to hear again.

“Everything all right out there, deputy?”

Fergus was still grinning as he lifted the radio to his mouth. “You will not believe who the cat dragged home. Ember Thurman, as I live and breathe, has graced us with her presence again. Says she needs help.”

The silence seemed to stretch forever.

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