Nice shot! Lexi grinned, watching Bleach-tips scoop up the wayward ball and come striding back. Guess that answers my question, doesnt it? What was your name again?
The tightness in my chest deflated, and I grinned back. Ember, I replied as Calvin smiled and nodded in approval. And thats my brother, Dante. Were here for the whole summer.
* * *
We played until the sun began to sink over the ocean, turning the sky a brilliant shade of orange and pink. At one point, Dante had to borrow someones phone to call Uncle Liam, as wed both forgotten ours in the mad dash to the beach. When the light began to fade and the group finally split up, Lexi and Calvin invited Dante and I to the burger shack on the edge of the beach, and we accepted eagerly.
As I sat beside Lexi, munching greasy fries and sipping a mango smoothie, something Id never experienced before (nor had my stomach, though our digestive tracts could handle just about anything), I couldnt help but be amazed. So these were normal teenagers, and this was what summer was supposed to be. Sand and sun and volleyball and junk food. No trainers. No evaluators with their cold hands and even colder eyes, watching our every move. The two surfboards Id seen earlier lay propped on the table beside us; they actually belonged to Lexi and Calvin, and both had offered to teach me. Yep, Id say my first day of being human was going swimmingly.
And then, sitting at an outdoor table with the sun fading into the ocean and the sky dotted with stars, I felt a strange prickle on the back of my neck. The same feeling Id get whenever I was being observed by an evaluator, all tingly and disconcerting. It always meant someone was watching me.
I turned in my seat, scanning the parking lot, but I didnt see anything unusual. A pair of girls walking back to their Camaro, drinks in hand. A family with two toddlers heading to the door. None of them were staring at me. But that tingle rippling across my neck hadnt gone away.
And then, a dragon pulled up on a motorcycle.
Not in its real form, obviously. The art of Shiftingchanging into human formwas so widespread it was common dragon knowledge now. All our kind knew how to do it. And those that couldnt were either taught very quickly, or they were hunted down by the Order of St. George, the terrible cult of dragonslayers whose only purpose was our destruction. Shifting into human form was our best defense against genocidal dragon killers and a world of unsuspecting mortals; one did not just wander about in full reptile form unless one had a death wish.
So, the dragon who cruised casually to the edge of the lot appeared human, and a fine specimen of humanity, too. He was slightly older than us, lean and tall, with a tousled mess of black hair and a leather jacket over his broad shoulders. He didnt kill the engine, but sat there staring at me, a smirk stretching his full lips, and even in human form, there was an air of danger about him, in his eyes that were so light a brown they were almost gold. My blood heated at the sight of him, and a flush rose to my skininstant reactions to another of our kind, and a stranger at that.
Lexi noticed me staring at the parking lot, and her gaze followed mine. Oh. She sighed, sounding dreamy all of a sudden. G double B is back.
Who? I whispered, wondering when Talon had planted him here. It was highly unusual to run into another dragon anywhere; Talon never placed their charges in the same town, for safety reasons. Too many dragons in one spot attracted St. George to the area. The only reason Dante and I had been placed here together was because we were true siblings, and that was almost unheard of in the organization.
Gorgeous Biker Boy, Lexi replied as the strange dragon continued to stare at me, almost challenging. No one knows who he is. He showed up a few weeks ago, and has been coming around all the popular hangouts. He never talks to anyone, just checks the place out, like hes looking for somebody, and leaves. Her knee bumped mine under the table, making me jump, and she grinned wickedly. But it seems like hes found what he was looking for.
Huh? Who? I tore my gaze from the strange dragon as he revved his bike and cruised out of the parking lot, vanishing as quickly as hed appeared. What do you mean, hes found what he was looking for?
Lexi just giggled, but I suddenly caught Dantes eye over the table and burger wrappings, and my stomach dropped. My twins expression was cold, dangerous, as he glared at the spot where the other dragon had been moments before. His pupils contracted, shrinking down until they were black slits against the green, looking inhuman and very reptile.
I kicked him under the table. He blinked, and his eyes went normal again. My stomach uncoiled. Jeez, Dante. What was that about?
We should go, he announced, standing up. Lexi made a disappointed noise and pouted, but he didnt relent. Its our first day here, and our aunt and uncle will worry if were not back soon. Well see you around, right?
Dude, its cool. Calvin waved him off. We practically live on the beach. Ember, meet us here tomorrow afternoon, yeah? The waves are supposed to be sick.
I promised I would, then hurried after my brother.
Hey, I whispered, lightly smacking his arm as I caught up. Whats with you? You nearly went psychopathic lizard on me, right in front of two very normal humans. Whats the deal?
He shot me a guilty look. I know. Im sorry. Its just... He raked a hand through his hair, the salt making it stand on end. Do you know what that was, in the parking lot just now?
You mean the other dragon? Yeah, I kinda noticed.
Ember. Dante stopped and met my gaze, grim and a little frightened. Which, in turn, scared me. Dante was always the calm, collected one. That wasnt anyone from Talon, he said solemnly. That was a rogue. Id bet my life on it.
My insides shriveled.
Rogue.
The stranger was a rogue. A dragon who, for reasons beyond comprehension, had broken away from Talon, severing all ties and going on the run. This was the one unforgivable crime in the eyes of Talon; dragons who went rogue were immediately pronounced traitors and criminals, and offered one chance to turn themselves in. If they refused, the infamous Vipers were sent to bring them back, to whatever punishment awaited them for such betrayal.
A rogue dragon, hanging around Crescent Beach. Staring right at me. Like hed known I would be there.
What do we do now? I asked. How long do you think hes been out of Talon?
Probably not long, Dante muttered, watching the last of the humans on the beach with an intensity that hadnt been there before. I cant imagine hell be around much longer. Ember, dont tell Liam and Sarah about this when we get home, okay?
Puzzled, I frowned at him. Why?
Because theyll inform Talon, Dante answered, making my stomach clench. Because the organization might call us back if they suspect a rogue is in the area. He mustve seen my look of horror, because he placed a hand on my arm and smiled. Its all right. Let me handle this. Ill take care of everything.
I believed him. Dante always accomplished what he said he would. I shouldve been relieved.
But I remembered the strange dragons eyes, the look on his face as hed stared at me, the way my blood had warmed at the sight of him. I remembered the heat of his gaze, the instant awakening of something fierce and primal inside me when our eyes met.
I believed him. Dante always accomplished what he said he would. I shouldve been relieved.
But I remembered the strange dragons eyes, the look on his face as hed stared at me, the way my blood had warmed at the sight of him. I remembered the heat of his gaze, the instant awakening of something fierce and primal inside me when our eyes met.
The rogue dragon was trouble. Plain and simple.
And I was intrigued.
* * *
The next day started off perfectly. I slept in for maybe the first time in my life, waking up close to noon to find Dante had already gone down to the beach. I found him with several of our new friends from yesterday, and we spent the afternoon talking, swimming, playing volleyball and eating more junk food from the Smoothie Hut. It was easier this time, to mingle, fit in and be part of this group, though some of their mannerisms were strange. Touching, for example. Lexi was very touchy-feely, and the first time she grabbed my arm, I had to force myself not to pull back, hissing. She and Kristin giggled a lot and talked at length about subjects completely foreign to me. Clothes and shoes and shopping and boys. Especially boys. It was baffling, this obsession with other humans. Clothes I could understand; shoes seemed to be the humans equivalent of shiny things and treasure. Maybe they hoarded boots like we did gemstones. That was something I could comprehend. But every time Lexi snatched my arm and pointed to some random human on the beach, I would nod and agree that he was gorgeous, as she put it, but I couldnt see the attraction.
By the end of the day, however, the ebb and flow of human conversation was starting to sink in, and I felt I was starting to get it. I confirmed with Lexi that she was willing to teach me to surf, and she promised to take me to a secret spot farther down the beach, where it was never crowded and the waves were constant. As evening approached and the sun dipped lower over the ocean, we went back out on the sand and Calvin dug a shallow pit, filled it with driftwood and started a fire. Entranced, I buried my feet in the cooling sand and stared into the flames. Beside me, Lexi chatted away as a boy who had brought a guitar picked at the strings with deft fingers. The fire snapped against the wood, beautiful and glorious, seeping into my skin and warming my face. Oh, yeah. Life was good. At the moment, it was perfect.
And then, my phone chirped sharply in the quiet.
Digging it out of my pocket, I held it up just as Dantes phone went off, too. We shared a glance, then gazed down at the screen. There was a new text from Liam and Sarah, and a cold knot settled in my stomach as I read it.
Come home, it ordered, simply. Now.
Dante immediately rose to his feet, dusting himself off. We gotta go, he told the group, who aahed at him in protest. He grinned and shrugged. Sorry, family calls. Ember, come on.
I didnt move. It wasnt curfew. Liam and Sarah had said we could go where we pleased as long as they knew where we were. They were only human. What were they going to do, come out and drag us home by the ear? Im not ready yet, I told him, making his eyes widen. You go ahead. Ill catch up.
His eyes narrowed to dangerous green slits as he glared down at me. I knew what he was saying, just from that stare. We knew each other so well, it almost echoed in my brain.
We have to go, it told me. We have to obey the guardians, because Talon put them in charge. Dont screw this up for us.
I glared back. I want to stay. Im just getting the hang of this.
His gaze sharpened. Youre going to get us in trouble.
You go, then. I shrugged, settling back on my elbows, my intent crystal clear. Im staying right here.
All this passed between us in a heartbeat. But then, Dante stopped glaring, and his expression turned pleading as he mouthed, Please.
I slumped. Angry Dante I could handle, but scared, beseeching Dante always got to me. Fine, I muttered, and got to my feet, dusting sand from my clothes. Lets go, then. I gave my twin one last glower that said, You owe me, and he smiled. With a last longing look at the bonfire and the flames licking gloriously over the wood, I turned my back on the group and stalked up the beach with my brother.
Aunt Sarah and Uncle Liam were waiting for us in the living room, but they werent the only ones.
As soon as we walked through the door, my primal instincts flared, hissing and cringing as a pair of cold, unamused gazes met mine. They were dragons; there was no mistaking that aura of power and the way my own dragon shrank away, wanting to flee from another, stronger predator. Yeah, Talon might be superorganized and spread all over the world, but centuries of survival instincts could not be forgotten just because we were civilized now. And when a hatchling was faced with two scary-looking, fully mature adult dragons, even in human form, it was hard to stay put when all her survival instincts were telling her to slink away with her tail between her legs.
Hello, students. One of them stepped forward, acid-green eyes piercingly bright. She was actually the scarier of the twoa tall, elegant woman in a black Armani suit, her blond hair pulled into a tight bun. Her male companion, also dressed in black Armani, watched with his hands folded in front of him. His dark hair was slicked back, his eyes flat and cold, but it was the female who radiated danger, even as she smiled at me. Her three-inch heels clicked over the tile as she stopped at the edge of the living room and regarded me as if I were a curious bug that had crawled from beneath the door. Theres been a change of plans.
Garret
I crouched in the damp, steamy undergrowth of the Brazilian rain forest, insects humming around me, feeling sweat trickle down my back beneath my combat armor. Beside me, another soldier knelt motionless in the ferns, his M-16 held in both hands, muzzle slanting down across his chest. The rest of our squad, eight in all, were scattered behind us, silent and watchful.
About a hundred yards away, up a narrow gravel road through a sparse, dying lawn, the low earthen walls of the hacienda shimmered in the afternoon heat. Guards wandered the perimeter, AK-47s slung over their shoulders, unaware that they were being watched. Id counted six outside; there were twice that number indoors, not to mention an unknown quantity of servants. And, of course, our target. The guards and servants were unimportant; casualties were expected on both sides. Taking out the target was our first and only priority.
I spoke quietly into the headset at my jaw. Bravo in position.
Good, muttered the staticky voice in my ear. Alpha will advance as soon as the first shell hits. Hold your ground until the target has shown itself.
Understood.
The soldier beside me took a deep, quiet breath and let it out slowly. He was a few years older than me and had a shiny burn scar that covered nearly half his face. Hed seen action before; everyone on this squad had. Some were venerable veterans, having several kills under their belt. No green soldiers here, not with what we had to do. Everyone knew what was expected, from the assault team out front to Tristans snipers waiting in the trees. I looked over my team, feeling a brief ache of resignation and acceptance. Some of us would fall today. When facing an enemy as powerful as this, death was almost certain. We were prepared. All of us were ready to die for the Order. No hesitation.