Page 11 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
“It’s not bragging if it’s true.”
“The sky doesn’t brag about its beauty.”
“The sky isn’t alive and can’t talk. I can.”
A laugh tumbled out of my beak that, unfortunately, sounded like I was choking. These guys really did sound like they’d been friends forever.
“Is she okay?” Alaric asked in alarm, half-rising from his seat.
Shay waved him back down, peering at me curiously. “She’s fine. If you can believe it, that’s her laughing. She’s laughing because we’re ridiculous.”
Alaric settled back down, his posture relaxing. “That means I’m funny, right?”
Shay rolled his eyes. “Not even close.”
Well,Ithought he was funny. Did that count? Clearly not, since I didn’t have a voice to say so.
My stomach snarled at me. Alaric must have heard it, because he leapt up and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with another plate of food and a little bowl of water. I demolished both in short order, then settled into the pillow again, watching the two men.
My body felt heavy and loose with exhaustion. I didn’t know how long I’d slept, but I clearly needed more. So far, in my raven body, the pain of my illnesses had been muted, and I seemed to have more stamina. I wasn’t sure what that meant. But even if it was just a pause on the pain and symptoms, I’d take it gladly.
Shay cleared his throat, drawing my attention. “Do you want the good news or the bad news?”
I glared at him with both of my beady black eyes and trilled in frustration. Both, obviously!
“Don’t be a jerk,” Alaric said. “She can’t talk. Just tell her what you found.”
“You’re so protective,” Shay murmured.
Alaric raised a brow, and I felt the threat in the expression. Clearly, Shay did too, because he smirked and held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay.” He turned to me. “The spell will likely last several months. My best guess is three. But here’s the good news—maybe in as little as a few days, you’ll start shifting back into human form for a few hours at a time. It was written into the spell—specifically for you. Whoever cast this was brilliant. And that’s coming from me, a literal genius.”
Alaric snorted. “If you’re so brilliant, why haven’t you figured out how to teleport yet?”
“The difference between being able to teleport and casting a basic spell are leagues apart. Teleportation is one of the most advanced forms of magic! It’s right up there with shapeshifting!”
Shay looked both embarrassed and frustrated, but Alaric merely smirked at him. “I bet the warlock who gave her family this magic could teleport.”
Shay glared at him. “Do you want my help or not?”
I laughed again—their interactions seemed more like brothers than friends—and both men turned to me with a smile. I could admit, my raven laughter sounded like I was choking on something, and it was pretty funny. But it was in that moment, with both of them focused on me, that I realized they were both gorgeous. The swirling colors made it hard to tell, but I was fairly certain they were.
And I was stuck as a bird with both of their very focused attention on me.
I scrunched my head into my shoulders and fluffed my feathers. I wanted the information, but I also wanted to sink into the floorboards. Why had I thought this was a good idea? Oh, right—because I’d been desperate.
Shay continued, “So, expect short stints in human form—maybe in a day or two. As time passes, you’ll be able to stay human longer. Eventually, if you choose, you can stay that way around the clock.”
If I choose? I would get to choose to be fully human again?
“What does that mean?” Alaric asked, brows drawing together. I bobbed my head at his question. He seemed to be asking all the questions I would if I had my voice, and I was grateful.
Shay’s tone turned playful. “It means that once the spell runs its course, she’ll be a full-fledged shifter. The shifter DNA will have fully melded with her body. She also has one other shifter gene spliced in…but I’ll leave that as a surprise.”
I gave him my best raven glare. I didn’t want surprises. I wanted answers! Why did he have to play games with my life? None of this was amusing.
“You’re being obnoxious,” Alaric growled.
“It’s my specialty,” Shay said with a cheeky grin.
