We’re already as intimately connected as two people can be thanks to our bond. Physical proximity makes it worse.
“Look at that,” Jax says, pointing at a small clearing in front of us.
It’s not supposed to be here. The bushes are stomped on, and a few trees closest are snapped in half.
A breath hitches in my throat.
“A dragon landed here,” Jax says, stepping into the clearing.
There’s no doubt.
We’re on the right path.
Jax kneels on one knee and picks up something from the ground. When I come closer, I see that it’s a gleaming diamond-shaped metal-looking piece.
“A dragon scale.” I breathe out the words.
I take it from Jax. It’s heavy, and cool to the touch.
“We’re getting closer,” Jax says, rising to his feet. “Let’s settle for the night and pick up where we left off early tomorrow morning.”
I look around the place.
“You want to set up camp here?”
Jax shakes his head. “Nah. It’s too open. And a dragon already landed here before. Who’s to say they won’t do it again?” He looks around. “Oh, you see. There. A base of the mountain. I’ll go check the place to see if there are any empty caves maybe. Stay here.”
Without waiting for my answer, Jax takes off. I’m left alone in this clearing. I look back where we came from. The path and the horses are still visible.
I sigh and inspect the scale in my hand. It’s large, the size of my palm. The ends are sharp. I bet it could pierce skin and flesh with ease.
The back of my neck prickles. I look up, but I’m still alone. Not a single branch, bush, or leaf moves.
But the forest has gone silent.
Deadly silent.
A shiver runs down my spine. Despite my thundering heart, I remain still.
Someone or something is out there. Scary and big enough to quiet the forest creatures.
I can feel eyes on me. The weird feeling crawls under my skin.
In one hand, I grip the dragon scale, while my other finds the dagger strapped to my waist. A bow may be more lethal, but the clearing is small and might not give me enough space if a predator jumps out of the damn forest.
Slowly, I turn around, my eyes scanning the shadows looming under the trees.
It’s so quiet, I can hear every breath of mine. The thundering of my heart.
A branch snaps somewhere in the distance. Another one.
Steps. Someone’s coming my way.
I brace myself and pull the dagger out of its sheath.
Come and get me, motherfucker.
The steps are close.
