Page 51 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
“She came willingly for now.” Kieran slowed his pacing. Ever the scholar, he paused for dramatic effect. “But humans don’t do well with this sort of isolation.”
“Lucan’s territory is isolated…” I started, looking at my brother. If I was in trouble, he should be too.
“I’m not talking about the adult humans,” Kieran barked. His talent for scolding was entirely wasted on being our dragon mediator. “It’s the child’s welfare I’m concerned with. Where will she learn? What kind of life will she live?”
I tightened my fingers around the glass, returning my attention to the fire. “You can educate the girl.”
Lucan laughed as he clapped Kieran on the back. “That’s a great idea. We’ll all pitch in.”
“She needs other hatchlings—er—children her age,” Kieran growled as he stepped from Lucan’s grasp. “Have you stopped to think of her future?”
A sadistic smile curled my lips as my dragon roared and thrashed within.
“Is this funny to you?” Kieran stopped pacing. The shadows darkened around him as rage rippled through his being.
I sipped the scotch, letting the burn coat my tongue.
“Answer me, damn it,” Kieran roared.
His anger flamed red hot.
Mine burned as a cold, simmering rage. “You’re a fool if you think I haven’t thought of every child born over the past hundred years, knowing the lucky ones will have died in their beds. But the rest? The ones who’ll continue to live? They have no future because of me. Don’t you preach about the dangers of lack of foresight, scholar. I’ve spent every night for longer than these current humans have been alive tormenting myself with the knowledge that I will fail them.”
Kieran sucked in an angry hiss, still trying to maintain control of his temper. “Why do this to yourself? Why take all of it on alone?”
The fire crackled as I let out enough alpha dragon power to remind him of his place. “Because it was never your burden to bear.”
Kieran flinched as if he’d been hit, growling, “You know we would help if you asked.”
“I know.” I let my anger dissipate. A sudden exhaustion swept through me. “But there was nothing you could do.”
The truth of that hung in the air between us while Kieran looked away, breathing to calm himself. The silence was broken by the gurgling sound of Lucan chugging the last of the bottle.
I glared at him.
Lucan wiped his lips. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time for a little payback. I’m assuming you stocked your beer fridge.”
The laughter that barked out of me felt foreign, like a muscle that hadn’t been used in a while. Even my dragon was shocked silent by the abrupt sound that ended as quickly as it came.
But I was still smiling as I saw Kieran’s goofy grin, feeling the start of something mending between us. It felt good. Better than I had any right to feel.
“Maybe the cleaning crew Malachy brought here had some parents in the mix. We can see if any staff would like to come on full time and bring their children with them.” Kieran scratched his jaw as he thought this through.
Lucan nodded, planning alongside him. “We’ll ask the girls what they think.”
“Shouldn’t we worry about these demons and vampires gathering to attack?” Kieran asked.
“I say to let them piss and moan,” Lucan grumbled. “Without Cain, they have no dragon on their side and it’s not like another supernatural is strong enough to channel Earth’s energy.”
I stared at the fire, watching the smoke burn darker as it swirled and rose up the chimney, while my heart slowed to a steady, thudding beat. The sound filled my ears, drowning out the rest of the conversation, before the walls started to shake.
A yank on my chest had me standing upright, scotch and future plans forgotten.
“Damn. I’d hoped She’d give him more time.” Lucan pressed open the window.
I was already half-undressed as I moved toward the night sky, drawn by the pulse of power that called directly to my beast.
Normally, it was the only thing I could focus on.
