Page 63 of Tempt the Dragon
“That’s when I knew I was too far gone to ever look my family in the eye again, or to serve on the Nobility. So I left and never looked back.”
Theo didn’t respond.
“Now, if I can do that, I’ve got no business telling anybody they should cling to their Drakon roots.”
“You absolutely do,” Theo interjected. “Because it’s those actionsthat you took that are the epitome of what we are, what we should’ve been before my father was possessed. Our purpose is to protect. We were created bigger and stronger for a reason. You did what we were taught to do. As for the children, they were a mistake. That’s not who or what you are and you know it.”
“No.” He couldn’t agree. “I could’ve handled things differently. I could’ve turnedthem over to the Nobility.”
“And because my father wasn’t thinking like himself, those Drakon would’ve been set free and they would’ve no doubt continued to kill. Listen.” Theo held out a hand when he was about to speak again. “I get it. I ran away too and I’m telling you right here and now, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Not in killing those Drakon or in what happened to Mel. Shemade a choice and because of that choice we were able to capture Duncan before he could get away. She’ll be able to turn him over to the Collectors when we return and collect her fee.”
“She can’t walk!” The words burst free, his chest burning with the truth.
“Ravyn’s going to fix it. Duncan said Temptra did something to him when he was here on the sabbatical a few months ago. She madehim drink something she said would enhance his powers. One of the Schenek who finally listened to Ravyn when she told them we were the good guys is working with her to find a potion to reverse the effects of the poison. She’s going to be alright.”
“And I’m going to let her go.”
“What?”
“She wants to go and be with her mother, to help her through a medical crisis. The money from herfee will make it possible to do that. I’m not going to pressure her about coming back here, about the Selection process, none of it.” He’d thought about this as he rode in the back of a Jeep with her still body on his lap. Tears rolled from her eyes part of the way, until she finally closed them in sleep. For a moment his heart had jolted to a stop but then he saw the pulse in her neck and calmedas much as he could. She deserved to live the life she wanted, not the one he had once insisted was preordained for her.
“You know that’s the coward’s way out,” Theo said evenly.
He shrugged. “It worked once. I’m betting it’ll work again.”
