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“It seems that way, doesn’t it?” Killian asked. “But he has some good hiding tricks.”
I wished I could help Killian and Drake and the demon hunters, but Paimon had been smart. He had never revealed his plan to me or where I could hear it. I hadn’t realized that until I was free. Right now, I was of no help.
“Next meeting Lord Drake calls, let me know,” Shane said. He glanced at me. “We might stay out of the fight, but I would like to be kept in the loop.”
“Wait.” I sat straighter. “You want to stay out of the fight?”
A wave of tension rolled around the room. “I’ll …” He pointed to the door across the room. “Yeah.” He zipped out with his super vampire speed without saying goodbye.
I stared at Shane, not understanding. “What do you mean we’ll stay out of the fight?”
He squared his shoulders. “With your powers, it might not be a good idea. You could lose it in the middle of the battle and burn our people. It’s too risky until you have control.”
“With the elixir and proper training, it won’t be,” I countered.
“We might not have time for training. We don't know when Paimon plans to attack.”
“He’s in hiding, and he might be unstable like I am. He might need time to get a handle on the dragon magic. That should give me time to train.”
“That is a big if.”
“What do you want me to do, then? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs while our friends march into battle?”
Shane’s jaw ticked. “I want you to be safe.”
“While Paimon is out there, trying to take the underworld back, I’m not safe. No one is.”
“That’s why the others will deal with him.”
I let out a long breath. “Shane, please, don’t do this. Don’t be a chauvinist and—”
“I’m being protective of the people I love.”
I shook my head. “I’m not weak. I can defend myself and others. We can’t sit this one out.”
He shot to his feet and the chair almost fell back. “I … I can’t go through it again, Raika. I can’t. I thought you died twice, and then you caught fire in front of my eyes not even eight hours ago. I can’t see you in any more danger. My soul can’t take it.”
I knew where he was coming from, but it wasn’t fair. He didn’t get to choose for me. Besides … “You do realize I have the same powers as Paimon now, don’t you? I might be the only one able to stop him.” His eyes widened as if he hadn’t considered that. “You can’t keep me from this fight.”
He clenched his hands into fists and his jaw hardened. “Think about Minsi and Tyren … and me. We need you and we need you here. Not fighting a war that already has thousands of people signed up for.”
I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. “Shane—”
“No!” He almost shouted and I flinched. “I won’t hear another damn word about this.”
He spun on his heel, marching away.
I stayed seated in bed, staring at the door long after he left, confused and alone.
3
RAIKA
I couldn’t believe Shane had left. That was not how you fixed an argument. Would he do that every time we disagreed on something? I didn’t like being upset at him, and I was sure he didn’t like being mad at me.
I started moving from the bed, intent on following him and making him talk to me so we could fix whatever rift this was and make up.
Meredith walked into the room from her office. “Good, you’re awake. I would like to check you out.”
