Hidden Fate

9

“Clearly, you needed a reminder.” Thorn’s neck corded as he remained in my stepdad’s space.

Eva and Elliott winced and closed their eyes. Even though Peter was difficult, he was still their dad, and I hated that this kept happening. However, Thorn couldn’t handle his toxicity…especially toward me. I couldn’t blame my mate. I’d be the same way, too.

“Just shut up,” Elliott snarled. “For your own sake.”

Wrapping an arm around Saphira and me, Cassidy nudged us toward Hydra, Theron, and Sol. She led most of us inside to get ready, while Vlad, Thorn, and Peter remained outside.

I wasn’t sure what they were doing, but it wasn’t my problem. I had Thorn to protect me, and even though I was certain I could do it myself, I no longer had to. I hurried inside to grab some things for both of us, leaving my stepdad to figure a way out of his own mess.

Luckily, we still had the two Suburbans, and Theron had his sizable older red truck, so we had enough vehicles to travel somewhat comfortably. We’d all packed a bag each, enough to have a few changes of clothes and toiletries to get us by.

Thorn drove one of the rentals, and I sat next to him on the passenger side. Eva sat right behind me in the middle row, with Saphira next to her. The two of them had been flipping through magazines they’d brought from the barn. In the very back, Peter sat behind Eva so Thorn could keep an eye on him in the rearview mirror, while Elliott sat in the center with Tyson beside him, the boys playing on Elliott’s Switch. Every few minutes, one of the boys would yelp, and eventually, Eva drifted off to sleep.

Everyone else in our group was in the other Suburban in front of us, which Vlad was driving behind Theron’s truck.

We’d been in the vehicle for over eight hours, and Thorn and I were struggling to stay awake. It was nearly four in the morning. Thorn yawned, and I reached across the center console and held his hand.

Do you need me to drive? I asked. We were in Indiana, and the surrounding woods gave my dragon a sense of peace. A reddish sign came into view with a drawing of a man sitting cross-legged that said, Welcome Nashville Pioneer Art Colony Est. 1872.

Glancing at me, Thorn smiled. It looks like we’re here.

“You’re going to die, asshole,” Elliott snickered from the back of the Suburban.

Those two had been playing that game the entire time, and I wasn’t sure how. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but they hadn’t lost their enthusiasm.

The only things stopping me from falling asleep were keeping Thorn company and the odd emotion swirling through our bond. It was a strange mixture, and I wasn’t sure what it meant, so I’d stayed awake, singing along to Soundgarden as we drove.

Soon, we were driving through downtown. There were several buildings side by side that weren’t connected, and each one looked well-maintained. They weren’t uniform in appearance, though, and the effect was welcoming. A few brick buildings mixed with aluminum-sided ones in various shades of yellow, green, and white made the place homey. Brown benches sat in front of a few shops, and one establishment’s small porch was covered in birdhouses. It declared itself the General Store and Bakery.

This place would be so fun to paint, and I tried to burn each detail into memory so that I might be able to recreate it on a canvas one day. Mom would’ve loved to paint the picture with me like we had of the Asheville skyline in my attic room. Out of habit, I reached for the bracelet she’d given me before she died, but I came up empty-handed.

My throat dried. I had to remind myself it was in my bag, safe and sound. I’d stopped wearing it because of training and never knowing when I’d need to shift.

Hey. Thorn’s mouth tightened. What’s wrong?

Nothing.

He arched a brow and narrowed his eyes at me. He wouldn’t let it go.

It’s just…I was thinking about how Mom would’ve loved to paint a picture of this town with me, and then I reached for my bracelet… Emotion crowded uncomfortably in my chest. The last thing I wanted to do was cry, especially in front of Peter.

One day, you’ll be able to wear it again. He nodded as if that settled everything, but my weird mix of emotions intensified, and I realized what it was: grief and a desperate need for calm. I will make it safe for you to paint to your heart’s content and wear whatever jewelry you want without hesitation ever again.

Some of the discomfort ebbed as my heart fluttered. Will that, by chance, include a wedding ring as well?

His irises darkened. Damn straight it will, and an engagement ring. I’ll make everything right as soon as I kill Drake.

Well, that had escalated quickly. Even though I preferred this version of Thorn, I was certain he hadn’t thought of what it would mean if he followed through on that plan—that people would be looking to him as the new king.

I wouldn’t bring that up until later, when we were closer to shutting Drake down.

We left the little downtown area and turned onto a dirt road that led us deeper into the woods. It seemed like a perfect dragon location with privacy and space away from humans.

The moon was descending, and thick, fluffy clouds floated in the dark sky. After several miles, a red, one-lane covered bridge came into view. Luckily, with how early it was, we didn’t have to worry about traffic. We slowed for each vehicle to cross alone, and then Theron picked up speed, leading us to our destination.

As we followed the dirt road, a shadow flew overhead, too large to be a bird.

My stomach clenched as my heart stopped. I connected, Dragon.

“s**t,” Thorn rasped, as he slammed on the brakes. The abrupt stop stirred up dust around us.

The large ebony dragon easily flew over the vehicles and landed on the road in front of Theron’s truck. It opened its wings, making it appear larger. The road was too narrow to turn around.

I scanned the sky as my heart thundered. I expected to find more dragons rushing toward us, but none were visible from where I sat.

Thorn’s and my connection squeezed tightly, melding our fear.

Slamming the Suburban into reverse, Thorn backed up hurriedly, just as Theron jumped from his truck.

What the hell was he doing? Did he have a death wish? Other warriors could arrive at any second, and he’d climbed out of his vehicle willingly. None of this added up.

Something dropped in the back seat, and Elliott yelped. Eva and Saphira groaned and stirred as the vehicle jerked and dramatically reversed.