Page 79 of Firedrake Betrayal
I focus on my right arm.
“What are you doing?” Patten asks when I’m getting a headache from straining.
“Trying to get better at using my powers.”
And maybe Isaiah won’t have to do something else that gives him more nightmares.
I’m edging into migraine levels of pain when Patten mutters, “I can’t believe I’m even suggesting this, but can’t you ask dragon guy?”
“Dominik is a liar. He will lie to me and I will buy it because I’m too naïve to tell truth from lie,” I bite out, angry at myself for pushing to stay.
We could have been back in Chicago and Isaiah wouldn’t have had to do what he did. How long will it take him to forgive himself for it? And what if he can’t?
I could have avoided all of this if I hadn’t been so determined to stay in a place I know isn’t safe.
I yelp when Patten grips my wrist and hauls me toward him. “Stop for a bit. You’re red in the face, and you sound bitter, beautiful.”
Maybe I am.
Seconds later, I’m right where I wanted to be. Under the comforter, with my head on his chest and his arm tight around my waist.
“Do you think anyone else got out of the compound?” I ask.
“We survived and so did a bunch of those guards, so I’d say, probably.”
I nod, lifting my right hand to touch his chest. A translucent blue ribbon lazily circles my wrist. I mentally sigh. When I actually try to call the thing, I wind up with a pounding head. When I’m not paying attention? There it is.
Some friend.
“Jade?”
I leave spirit to continue its lazy circling in order to focus on Patten’s serious expression. “What is it?”
“The world can be a real shitty place, full of crooks and pricks and the shittiest shits.”
He provokes a reluctant smile. “That’s a lot of shit.”
Patten doesn’t smile back. “Don’t let them change what you are. We terrified you when we found you in that attic, and you still treated us better than we deserved.” He stares up at the ceiling. “Don’t let this fucked up world turn you bitter.”
I scrutinize him. I can’t see his face from this angle, just his jaw and the stubble forming there. “Did it do that to you?”
He sighs. “It made me cynical. You’re not a cynic. Don’t let it turn you into one.”
“Because you like me the way I am?”
“Like?” His gaze returns to mine, midnight-blue eyes softening in amusement as his lips curve into a smile. “Hmm. Interesting word. But… tame.”
“Tame?”
“Yup.”
“What word is not tame?” I hold my breath as my heart trips a little faster.
He winks. “Not sure yet. Let me figure it out and I’ll let you know.”
“Okay.”
He glances at my right wrist where spirit is still lazily circling my wrist. It’s strange to see the blue ribbon pass through Patten’s chest. After what I did to his dad, I’d have thought he would be wary.
