Page 98 of Sight of Fate

Andros stands, his gaze locked on Charli with an odd expression on his face. “Why don’t I call MacKenzie so you two can chat?”

Her thumb swipes across the back of my hand in a soothing manner. Warmth and acceptance radiate from her to me.

I stare into her light green eyes, needing something to ground me. “Vampire hordes were sweeping across Europe in record numbers. It wasn’t safe to stay. That evening, Andros, Teague, and I were boarding a Dutch ship bound for the Americas when Teague got word that a horde was heading toward our friends—Ronan, Kian, and Alejandro—and the village they stayed to protect. He knew they’d never be able to fend off thirty vampires by themselves.”

“So, we went. The fight was brutal. I went down.” My words are clipped as the memories swarm me. “The vampires were rabid.” I swallow, still feeling their hands and teeth ripping at my wings. “Ronan saved me. We stayed with them until I healed, then left for the Americas six months later.”

Tears silently roll down her cheeks. “I’m sorry they took them from you.”

I carefully wipe her cheeks. “Me too. I loved to fly. More than anything. Most of the churches in Europe reach an incredible height. My favorite thing to do was fly to a peak and perch on the edge.” My voice is gruff as I remember feeling like I was on top of the universe.

“No wonder Teague’s guilt eats at him,” she says softly. “He knows what it meant to you.”

“It kills me that he’s still carrying that burden, but nothing I say convinces him to let it go. Honestly, if the tables were turned, I’d feel the same way.”

Andros comes back, his keen eyes scrutinizing us. “We have a plan. MacKenzie has a sedative, but with him in dragon form, there are only a few places we can inject it. She’s going to meet us out there.”

Macklin: Headed out to Ames’. Loose plan to sedate Mavros and hope he shifts.

Teague: I’ll meet you there.

I blow out a breath and look at Andros. “First sign of trouble⁠—”

“I’ll get her out of there,” he finishes.

Ames’ ranch sits against the base of the mountain to the north. A large, sprawling red brick home with dark grey accents is the first thing you see when you come up the long drive. Set against the lighter grey of the mountain, it’s got a rugged feel to its luxury exterior that makes it feel more like a home than a statement. Four large barns line the back of the property, housing the dragon hatchlings before and after they’re born. Horses and cattle graze in a nearby pasture. The scene is picturesque.

At least until Ames comes striding out, wearing a scowl that would rival the ugliest bull. Cranky as hell, he’s been alive longer than most supes and seen a lot of shit. All dragons make for big men. Ames is no exception. Tall and built like a tank, his brown hair in disarray like it hasn’t seen a brush this century, he looks like a one-man army. Startling green eyes flicker with irritation and a hint of his dragon as he studies us.

“Let’s get this over with,” he spits, his gaze moving past me and Andros to Charli. “Guess you’re the seer I’ve heard so much about. Ames.”

Charli gives him a tentative smile and moves closer to Andros, who takes a half step in front of her, his gaze locked on Ames. “Hi. I’m Charli.”

He regards her for a moment, then dips his chin. “MacKenzie’s already at the barn, waiting on us.” Pivoting on his boots, his long legs eat up the distance to the barn on the far side of the property.

Three times the size of the house, the whole building shakes as a roar rolls out across the valley. Although he was practically a skeleton when we found him, Mavros is even bigger than Ames. Can’t imagine that’s going to translate into a small dragon. My stomach tightens, wondering if this is a colossal mistake.

“Andros, take Charli about three hundred feet that way,” Ames orders him, pointing off to the side. “MacKenzie, give the needle to Macklin, then join them.”

She calmly walks over and hands me a syringe the size of my forearm with an equally long needle attached. “Hit him hard, or you won’t puncture the skin. Dragon hides are tough.”

Ames turns to me. “MacKenzie says the sedative will only work if it’s injected under the surface. Best option is to inject it in his tongue or gums. But if he’s opening his mouth, fire is coming out. The only other option is to lift a scale and jab the needle into the skin underneath. Will take quite a bit of muscle. So, take your pick, but regardless, you’ll have to shift.”

I flick a glance at Charli, and Ames grunts. “She hasn’t seen your form, has she? Hope she doesn’t run away when she gets a glimpse of your ugly face.”

I lift a shoulder. “She’s my fated mate. Going to see me sooner or later.”

There’s a brief look of envy in Ames’ eyes before it’s shuttered. “I can’t hold him long. Five, maybe six, minutes.” He rolls up his long sleeves, revealing strong, muscular arms, then flicks a hand to slide open the two massive doors.

I hear Charli gasp at his use of magic. So does Ames, and damn if he doesn’t preen a little. I snort. Looking into the barn, every ounce of amusement dries up. Mavros’ dragon is massive. Biggest I’ve ever seen. And every inch of him is pure black except his eyes. Amber shot with gold. They gleam in the darkness of the barn as if they’re sizing me up for a snack.

Ames walks in and grabs the long, thick chain, and Mavros lumbers forward, his eyes fixed on me. I search his chest and legs, hoping to find an opening, but his scales are almost seamless. From head to tail tip, he’s practically impenetrable. There’s really only one play here.

Walking toward him, I glare at Ames. “Going for the mouth. Don’t let him eat me. Got a lot to live for.” Between one step and the next, my skin hardens, muscles enlarge, and oversized fangs drop. I briefly turn toward Charli, wanting her to see who I am. Thankfully, I don’t have horns like most of my brethren. This is already a whole lot of ugly.

Her stunning light green eyes are as big as saucers when they scan me from head to toe, and surprisingly, she’s clutching Andros’ gloved hand, but she’s not running.

Mavros’ tail whips the ground, and I shift my focus to the beast in front of me. Chin raised, he roars to the skies above, then shuffles forward a few steps.