Page 52 of Shifting the Flame

At least she wasn't in a jail cell right now. Asher had managed that much for her.

Her chest constricted painfully at the thought of him finding her note. Would he be angry? Hurt? Or perhaps relieved that she'd made the difficult choice for them both?

"You should be focusing on clearing your name, not worrying about a man," she chided herself, resuming her pacing. Butit wasn't just any man. It was Asher—insufferably stubborn, impossibly attractive, and utterly devoted to her and his town. A natural leader who'd put his entire reputation on the line to protect her these past four days.

Her phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. Unknown number.

"Hello?" Her voice came out raspy.

"Miss Ulrich." The voice was deep and official. "This is Davis from the Ectorius Council. Your hearing has been scheduled for three days from now, following Councilman Garron's memorial service."

She swallowed hard. "Thank you for letting me know."

"The mayor insisted we provide you with proper notification." His tone made it clear this courtesy was Asher's doing, not the council's. "Hunter will escort you back to Ectorius on Thursday morning."

The line went dead before she could respond.

Danica stared at the phone in her hand, reality crashing over her like a tidal wave. In three days, she'd face a town full of dragon shifters who believed she had murdered one of their most respected elders. And for what? Because she'd been eager to help serve drinks to make everyone happy?

"I never should have left that note," she whispered, sinking to the floor with her back against the wall.

Her tears started fresh, hot tracks sliding down her cheeks. She was walking away from what they had to protect him, believing his position as Alpha was more important than their relationship. But now, alone in her apartment with nothing but her thoughts and a dragon guard, the magnitude of what she might have thrown away hit her with staggering force.

Maybe he'll still fight for me anyway,she thought foolishly to herself.

The soft knock at her door jolted her from her misery. Her heart leaped traitorously in her chest, a sudden wild hope flaring that Asher had come for her. That he'd somehow made this nightmare disappear. That his powerful arms would sweep her up and carry her back to where she belonged - with him.

Danica scrambled to her feet, tugging at her oversized Tulane University sweatshirt which had twisted awkwardly around her torso. She hastily wiped at her cheeks and tried to smooth down the messy ponytail that had half-escaped its elastic.

"Coming," she called, her voice embarrassingly thick with emotion.

She yanked open the door, a fragment of a smile already forming on her lips—only to freeze when she saw not Asher's broad shoulders but Joni's willowy frame filling her doorway.

"Well," Joni said, her perfect red lips curving into a sympathetic smile. "You look like absolute hell."

Joni stood there in a silky emerald blouse paired with tailored cream slacks. Her long red hair fell in glossy waves down her back, and she carried a small gift bag that smelled suspiciously of beignets from Café du Monde.

"Joni." Danica's brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood," Joni said breezily, though her eyes took in every detail of Danica's disheveled state. "Thought I'd check in on you."

Danica's arms crossed protectively over her chest, suddenly conscious of her shapeless sweatshirt and sweatpants. "That's...thoughtful."

"May I come in?" Joni tilted her head, her perfume—something expensive and floral—wafting between them.

Danica hesitated, her frustration at Joni returning. "What happened to you last night?"

A flash of something—annoyance?—crossed Joni's face before smoothing out. "Family emergency. My mother called mejust as you were heading over to the VIP table with the drinks. I only heard about poor Garron this morning." She paused, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And about you and Asher breaking up."

That last sentence made Danica's thoughts short-circuit.Breaking up? Nobody knows about that note except Asher.

"We didn't break up," Danica said carefully, studying Joni's reaction. "At least, not officially."

"Oh! I just assumed." Joni waved a perfectly manicured hand. "Because of the way you had to leave. Forgive me."

Danica knew she should probably close the door. Something felt off. But the weight of aloneness pressed on her shoulders, and the thought of having someone—anyone—to talk to about the nightmare of the past twelve hours overwhelmed her better judgment.

"Come in," she said, stepping aside. "Sorry about the mess."

---