Page 49 of Brambles and Bellflowers
In any case, even if he wasn’t dead, Miles might still be in peril. What if he was bleeding into a river as the water turned crimson with his life’s essence? The forest was vast, and swift and virulent waters cut through these lands. Or perhaps he’d fallen off a cliff, broken his leg, and was now pitifully waiting for rescue?
We had to find him.
“What’s the Snallygaster?” Bryce asked, apparently reaching a breaking point.
I glanced at Brayden, but he only smirked.
“How do you not know about the Snallygaster?” he asked. “Just look, Bianca. What kind of idiot doesn’t do their research?”
“What are you talking about? This was supposed to be a safe trip.” Bryce’s brows furrowed as he glanced between us. “And don’t call me an idiot.”
Brayden sighed, shoulders slumping. “See what I have to put up with?”
“It’s a local legend,” Finn said, coming to Bryce’s rescue. “But it’s not important. You’re all being ridiculous.”
“It’s just a superstition.” Damen strode over, a bag tied to his back. Julian followed, brushing his clothes. They’d split most of the gear, and Damen dropped the remaining bags at Titus’s feet. “It’s probably just a bobcat—or something equally harmless. Don’t get all dramatic, Bryce. It’s fine.”
A harmlessbobcat… How lovely! There was no reason to be concerned.
Not.
“It’s not a bobcat, it’s adragon!” Troy—who’d had all but been forgotten—interrupted. His face flushed, and he pointed a shaking finger at Damen. “Don’t you think I know a dragon when I smell one?”
“No,” Damen answered instantly. “Besides, I think we’ll be alright. Titus, are you scared?”
Titus scoffed, his attention returning to the horizon.
“I guess you have our answer.” Damen lopsidedly grinned. He allowed his gaze to linger on Troy’s still outstretched finger, and his eyes flashed. “We’ll take it from here.”
Troy made a frustrated sound, throwing his hands into the air. “You do what you want. I’m going back to the truck! When you”—he pointed at Finn, Bryce, and Brayden—“are done saying goodbye, we’ll head back down.”
Then he spun on his heel and stomped back to the vehicle.
“Normally, I don’t appreciate your theatrics,” Julian said, tilting his head as he watched the ranger’s retreat. “But this was well-deserved.”
“He’s been getting on my nerves for a while.” Damen pursed his lips and put on his leather gloves. “And I don’t wantherto be the last thing he remembers.”
“Why?” I asked. “You said he didn’t know who we are.”
Damen and Julian froze, their attention turning to me. A long moment passed before they answered.
“No reason,” Damen said.
Julian turned his face upward, expression tired, as a thread of resignation tickled the bond between us.
I looked to Brayden, who still stood at my side. “What are they talking about?” I asked, so low only he—and possibly Titus, who didn’t seem to care anyway, as he was still sniffing the air—could hear.
“He was checking you out, little sister. Titus’s warning didn’t sway him all that much.” This time, Brayden’s grin didn’t reachhis eyes. A dark curl fell over his forehead as he came forward, touching his pointer finger to my nose. “But anyway, this is the perfect time to give him what he wants,” he said, gaze flicking toward Damen.
His meaning was lost to me, but after a second, previous events came rushing back.
Yes, Damen wanted a fight. He would soon learn not to underestimate me.
“Okay,” I said, holding my fists to my chest. “I’ll think of something.”
Brayden grinned in response, his features hardening on his heart-shaped face, and his eyes glittered dangerously. “Good. And don’t worry about anything else. Even if the monsterisreal, it’s nothing that the five of you can’t handle.”
My breath caught in my throat—the five of us.
