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“Excuse me. I think you mean I got him,” Legend snarls.
He steps toward Day, dark intent in his eyes. I get between them fast, soothing Legend with a kiss, one hand on his big chest. His heart is pounding a mile a minute with fury. He growls into my mouth, smoke coming from his nostrils. It takes a few minutes for him to calm down. I’m still not exactly sure what’s going on with the three of us. Both of them want me, and I want both of them. For now it’s mostly working okay, but tense moments like that can come out of nowhere.
Day turns his back on Legend and backcombs his hair rapidly, filling the room with the choking scent of hairspray. Apparently his “sensitive” nose can tolerate strong smells when vanity is in play.
“No one breathe fire or we’re all in trouble,” I say dryly.
“Let’s bring a bottle of wine,” Day says, ignoring the snark.
He leads the way to the kitchen and grabs a bottle from the rack.
“This is a good one, right?” he says.
I nod, impressed. “How did you know?”
“Because I took a note of all your wines and looked them up online,” he says proudly.
“You care about my wine collection?” I say in shock.
“Of course,” he says. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”
“Same goes for me,” Legend says. “I’ll buy you a whole fucking wine cellar, Ash. Leave this fool in the dust.”
He jerks his thumb at Day, who gives him the finger back. They’re ridiculous, but I love it. I’ve been living alone for so long. Dating life a wasteland, closed off from everyone because of my secret. Now I have two gorgeous dragons fighting over me. Caring enough about me to take an interest in my nerdy hobbies. Admittedly they have zero boundaries or respect for my personal space. But I don’t care. They’re everything I always wanted.
Together, we head for the west corner of the park. The space has been transformed into a spooky wonderland. Candlelit lanterns hang from trees, swaying in the wind. The picnic tables are decorated with skull centerpieces and dark purple dahlias. I cling to Legend and Day’s hands, feeling overwhelmed. The place is packed. It’s wild to think there have been so many dragon shifters living all around me and I had no idea. Everyone is in human form so far, with about seventy-five percent in costume and the rest party poopers like Legend. My dragons introduce me to so many people, my head is spinning trying to remember their names. Then Day tenses up, nervous, as a statuesque white woman approaches us. The crowd parts for her as though she has some authority. She must be the horde leader. She has dark hair and piercing blue eyes so dark they’re almost navy. Her long, gothic black dress is a work of art with opulent ruffles, glinting black beads and a thigh-high split. It’s hard to tell if it’s a Halloween costume or her normal look.
“Adella, this is Ash,” Day says. “Ash, meet Adella. Our leader.”
The Morticia Adams lookalike holds out her hand with an imperious air. I’m not sure whether to shake it or kiss it. I settle for shaking, giving a nervous giggle about nothing.
“Ah, the baby dragon,” Adella says in a deep, honeyed voice. She even talks like Morticia Adams. “I’m overjoyed to meet you, my dear. I trust my dragons have been of service?”
I blush. It seems like she knew I couldn’t shift, but I hope she hasn’t guessed how the guys got me past the block.
“They’re the best,” I say.
“Show me,” she says. “Shift for me.”
It sounds like an order. I look at Day and Legend, who nod at me. Guess it is an order. I go into the privacy of some trees to take off my clothes. I shut my eyes and focus, easily taking on my dragon form. I scamper back to the group.
Adella smiles. “Aren’t you just the cutest?” she says. “Love the color.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Er, am I the smallest dragon here?”
“Not at all,” she says. “We come in all shapes and sizes. You’re perfect just as you are, Ash.”
Day and Legend give me told you so looks and lead me to one of the picnic tables. It’s time for the feast. The party is super fancy, with food from one of the best caterers in the city. No one gets cold sitting outdoors because of our self-heating capabilities. Champagne flows. There’s even music from a string quartet; I recognize some Mozart. The dragons are old enough to have been at the premieres of these pieces. The idea gives me goosebumps. Legend and Day encourage me to mingle and chat with the other dragons, shooting proud little looks at me as I get along with everyone. For once in my life, I feel popular. Like I belong. It’s like finding a family I never knew I had.
It feels like things can’t get any better. But I should’ve known it couldn’t last. Everyone spreads out on the grass to dance. As I wonder how to keep both Day and Legend happy, I suddenly realize neither is beside me. I spot them talking to Adella a little way away. It looks serious, like a consultation. I creep up, staying downwind so they don’t scent me with their dragon senses. There’s something about their secretive body language that seems off.
“So that’s it?” Day says. “We’re cool now?”
Adella flicks her black sheet of hair over her shoulder.
“Cool might be pushing it, Dayton,” she says icily. “But you’ve completed your task successfully. Ash will be a welcome addition to our group. And I hope this will cause you to think about your behavior in future.”
“Of course,” Legend says. He looks uncharacteristically timid.
