Chapter 1 ANAUGHTYDRAGONAND BADMEN

The sun''s dwindling rays glinted off swords and daggers as they clinked against each other, their clatter muted by the glass that separated me from them. I clutched my cutting knife and forced myself to dice more potatoes. Already, a large bowl overflowed with them. Before the hour was up, I''d fill a few more. Dragon shifters whose shadows plummeted our town into sudden darkness whenever they swooped overhead, had appetites as sizable as the dragons themselves.

A dragonling, whom I''d nicknamed Saffron for the rich golden yellow of his scales, planted himself at my feet and gazed up at me, his rough tongue lolling out of his mouth. He whined.

I scowled down at him. "I already fed you, and begging doesn''t suit you."

That last bit was a lie, of course. With his big, dark eyes, wagging tail, and mouth curled into an endearing smile, exposing some of his needle-sharp teeth, he was cuter than was reasonable. It was an unfair advantage he pressed at every opportunity.

Again, he whined deep in his throat, making my heart clench despite my determination not to spoil him. I''d be the one to pay the price for that softness later. "I mean it. No more for you, not tonight."

The knife clacked against the cutting board with a dull, repetitive sound that had been known to infiltrate my dreams. Or did that make them nightmares?

Saffron inched closer as my attention drifted to the courtyard beyond the kitchen, where Xeno had promised we would spar once I''d finished my chores for the day. Though that had been motivation enough to rush through my many duties, I still wouldn''t be free before nightfall, when the already cold air of the high mountains practically turned arctic.

As he always did, Xeno drew my eye. If I had a true friend in this frigid place where the sun only shone above the steep peaks for a few hours a day, he was it. Though recently he wanted to be more than friends, a fact that surely hadn''t escaped the notice of Malessa. The woman was big enough to block a doorway and in charge whenever the bigger fish were away. I saw him less and less as she found new mind-numbing tasks to assign me far from him. Given that the town

coined Nightguard for the mountains that loomed above it could be traversed on foot from one end to the other in fifteen minutes, this was no small feat.

But I was the only non-shifter here now that my father Zako was gone. If not for his insistence that he wouldn''t always be here to protect me, no one would have taught me how to defend myself at all.

There was only one purpose to Nightguard: to protect the dragons'' stronghold. Despite the fact that I could fight as well as any of them, I was delegated to the role of cook and caretaker of the baby dragons. I''d never be able to shift, and so I''d never be enough to become a dragon protector like the rest of them.

Zako and I''d together been the exceptions.

My breath caught as if I were finding his mangled body all over again—

The blade sliced my finger as I stumbled forward with a startled gasp. Growling, I threw the damn kitchen knife at the cutting board. Droplets of blood dripped across a pile of potato cubes while Saffron''s tail thwacked the back of my legs again.

This time, I jolted but didn''t stagger. I wouldn''t have the first time if I''d been paying attention. The dragonling was fond of the same tricks.

As annoyed with myself as I was with him, I glared down at the creature, whose head only came up to my hip. "Knock it off," I barked, weeks of frustration bubbling over.

With his smile that appeared far less innocent than it had moments before, he continued swinging his tail, already as thick as my arm. It thumped against my legs. Before it could complete its arc, I slammed down the worn sole of my boot, pressing his tail against the floor—not hard enough to hurt him, just enough to teach a lesson I wasn''t certain he''d ever learn.

Don''t hit me. Not to get your way—not ever.

Saffron yipped and attempted to free his tail. He dragged that sandpaper tongue over his lips and up to his snout, imploring with those eyes that seemed capable of the words he wasn''t.

I groaned and released him. He pointed the appendage away from me as it sped back up, already celebrating his victory.

You can''t treat me like that. I''m not your slave, you know.

My sharp tone slowed the festive pace of his wag, but it had been necessary. Not for him. No, he''d return tomorrow with the same winning antics. Same time, same sad place.

For me.

Maybe I wasn''t a slave, but I wasn''t entirely certain I hadn''t become a servant somewhere along the way. I only got to leave this isolated town for a short time once a year. Every day of my life, I did what I was told. What did that make me? The dragons and shifters

possessed magic to the core of their very beings. It defined them. What chance did I have to ever become their equals?

Scooping up a handful of the bloodied potato chunks, I tossed them at the dragonling, who snagged them from the air, teeth chomping loudly, reminding me that I was surrounded by predators.

Saffron seemed to think we could be friends. He was too young to know better. He''d learn soon enough that he and I weren''t the same. They always did.

I rinsed my finger in the bucket of water where I''d cleaned the vegetables, tore a strip off a dishrag, and tied it around the cut. Immediately crimson seeped into the fabric. I tsked. That would rub against the handles of my throwing knives, though it wouldn''t stop me from continuing my pre-dawn practice before obligations interfered. Besides sleep, that was one of the few blocks of time that was entirely mine to do with as I pleased.

Saffron licked his lips and grinned up at me. He wielded his cuteness like a weapon. Shaking my head, I rubbed the soft crest of his head, where the scales were still fine, almost like feathers, and tossed him a whole tuber.

Making sure to keep some awareness on the naughty dragon at my side, I flicked my attention beyond the window once more, immediately spotting Xeno. He was the youngest of the shifters, and though he wasn''t yet a protector, eventually he''d join the others in dedicating their lives to defending what remained of the dragons.

Similar in age, he and I''d grown up together, and though the protectors often kept us apart, not all did, and Zako hadn''t. With Zako no longer around to discourage his amorous intentions, Xeno had renewed his efforts to make me his. We could never truly be together, not in any real sense. He was destined for a great purpose. I... wasn''t. But Xeno was too starry-eyed to face that truth. I, however, didn''t have the privilege of painting my circumstances with rosy optimism.

There was no escaping them. Oh, no shackles bound me, and I''d never actually been told I couldn''t leave by anyone, not even the fearsome Dragon Mother, who was larger than any beast I''d ever seen. Just one menacing look from her had the best of us quaking in our boots. But I still knew too little of the world beyond this place, and the nearest settlement of humans was several days of grueling travel away: the entire reason why the dragons had relocated to the Nightguard Mountains in the first place.

People were a threat. Ruled by their prejudices, greed, and ignorance, many corrupted by darkness, they were a danger even to magical creatures as ferocious as dragons.

Everyone and everything had a vulnerability. Zako had taught me that. I might not be as physically strong as the shifters, but I was fast.

and light, and I didn''t hesitate to press any advantage.

Despite Xeno''s insistence that he and I could be together, he must know I was only biding my time. One day I''d leave Nightguard and forge my own path.

Noticing my hands had stilled while I cycled through familiar thoughts, I blew stray strands of hair from my face, and set down the knife again to toss another log onto the waning fire.

An enchantment elevated the outdoor temperatures within the valley from so cold they''ll freeze your nipples off in mere minutes to so cold you''ll be miserable but you''ll keep your nips.

But unlike the shifters, I didn''t contain a beast inside me that operated as a portable heating unit.

Sparks flew up around the logs as I rearranged them then returned to my station. My feet had worn gentle grooves into the wooden floor over the years. Even Zako had been allowed to practice with the protectors while I watched on.

At the end, I''d been faster. As lethal as he was.

I worked my way through another full bowl of potatoes before I discovered myself staring at Xeno yet again. No doubt, I could do worse than him. He was strong and quick, broad-backed, muscular, and handsome, with a nice straight nose and full lips that turned up into an easy smile.

And though not all of the shifters were as harsh and exacting as Malessa, Xeno was the nicest among them.

He met blades with his sparring partner. Each sword deflected the other before Xeno''s opponent parried. Xeno slid out of the way, feinted in anticipation of the shifter''s next move, and pressed the tip of his sword against the man''s sweater. Both took a step back acknowledging the point.

As he so often did, Xeno glanced in my direction, his gaze meeting mine despite the fading light and the distance between us. His smile was brilliant enough to illuminate his eyes.

Aye, I could do much worse than Xeno. The shifters were as passionate and fiery as their creatures. Xeno would undoubtedly spice up my life. I imagined it would be easy to love him as more than a friend.

As if he''d inferred the nature of my thoughts, his mouth spread into a wolfish grin. His cheeks were pink from exertion and cold, his hair tamped down by a cap, though a few wisps curled out from beneath it. He flashed bright teeth at me and I chuckled, feeling a flush spread across my own face.

He winked at me before turning back to his partner, who launched a spirited attack. In a landscape of similar pairings, I tracked their movements as they danced around the stone courtyard, somehow aware of the many shifters around them engaged in the same exercise, though neither of them appeared to look away from the other.

When Saffron whined for more food, I didn''t even look down before tossing him another potato and letting loose a wistful exhale. At least I get to stay inside where it''s warm, right?" Saffron snorted as he chomped down on his prize.

Yeah, I don''t believe me either," I grumbled, and dragged over a stool to the counter.

Before I could wish the potatoes would explode and save me the trouble of cutting them, as I did most nights nearing the end of my kitchen shift, a startling roar split the descent of twilight.

Instantly, everyone who''d been sparring spun in the direction of the watch guard''s alarm and waited, several already sheathing their blades and unclasping their weapons belts, dropping them to the ground. Many were yanking their sweaters over their heads and their pants down as they shucked off their boots, preparing to call on their creatures and defend the dragons shielded by the unyielding stone that towered overhead.

My heartbeat thumped in my ears as I flung open the door of the large dining room, nearly tripping over Saffron, who rushed to catch up. My fingers sped to the holster that rested against my lower back, housing the two blades I was as familiar with as my own body, while my ears strained in anticipation of the next call.

It arrived moments later, and now it was sedate. The protectors gathered their scattered clothing and began to dress.

Saffron bounded out the door before I shut it behind me and I immediately crossed my arms over my chest for warmth. If I stretched a little, I could draw my knives like this too.

Minutes passed during which no one fully relaxed. Then a couple of sentries finally escorted a handful of men bundled in bulky coats, gloves, and hats that covered their ears, to Malessa. Several protectors flanked her as she and the men spoke, too softly for me to hear since I lacked heightened shifter senses.

Hoping to appear inconspicuous, I circled the gathering, gradually moving closer. Before I managed to reach earshot, Malessa turned, locating me as if I were glowing in the falling night. Her eyes, a smidge too close together, were alive with curiosity. "Elowyn, come."

I didn''t move a muscle as stares pinned me.

I said come, Malessa repeated as if I were a new dragonling in need of training.

My jaw hardened and my nostrils flared.

Elowyn, now.

Uncertain what to do, I searched out Xeno. His mouth was a tight line that told me he was as uncomfortable with the summons as I was.

Zako would have known what to do, and for the umpteenth time I wished he were still here.

Who the hell were these men? No one ever came to Nightguard. No one.

Shifters traveled to the nearest towns once a moon cycle to trade for goods, but they transformed into their dragons and flew to shorten the distance. Zako had gone twice a year and when I''d begged enough, he''d taken me with him every other time. Nightguard wasn''t on the way to anywhere. In fact, its exact location was meant to be a secret.

When Malessa''s eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a disapproving frown, my feet moved of their own accord. The woman wouldn''t strike me, but she would make sure what little free time I had evaporated into nothing. And if I couldn''t keep up my training, a part of me would wither and die. It was all I had that was mine and mine alone.

Everyone''s attention warmed my cold skin as I stopped beside Malessa, my focus raking over the strangers. Nothing about them seemed particularly remarkable. Swords and daggers peeked from beneath their long coats, but they didn''t seem concerned about drawing them. Were they... were they human? And if they were, what on Earth were they doing here, where the dragons might eat them before they could explain themselves?

The man in front had eyes that were as gray as any stormy sky I''d ever seen. They were also as dense as stone. He was no friend. "This is her?" he asked of Malessa as if I weren''t standing right there.

It is. Malessa studied me and the man with a disaffected interest that made my stomach clench.

Looking down his nose at me though we were of comparable height, the man removed a glove and extended a pale hand toward me. A giant gemstone the color of blood capped a ring on his finger. He stared at me as if I should know what that meant. When I didn''t do anything, he scoffed, then tapped the crest engraved on the stone. Chiseled into the crystal with exquisite precision, two dragons stood an exact mirror of one another.

His Majesty the King Consort Oren Amadeo of Embermere demands your presence, he announced, his tone brimming with self-importance.

I did my own scoffing, causing him and the men behind him to stiffen. Demands my presence. Really? Like that was going to make me hop to it.

Who? I asked, allowing my lips to curl with my derision. I also batted my lashes in mocking innocence in case they''d missed how unimpressed I was.

The man''s brows arched in affront, shock, or both. "His Majesty the King of Embermere." His tone had turned hard as the rock that...

dwarfed us.

Where? I hadn''t heard enough about the place, but Zako had told me some about it. Even so, there was no reason to make any of this easy for the guy.

The man glared at me before turning that same look to Malessa, who shrugged her wide shoulders. Hey, our agreement was to give her a place to hide, not educate her.

What agreement? I asked, my question as rough as my disbelief. "And where is Zako Shade?" The man with the ring, still directed at my face, like a piece of jewelry could compel me to obey, made it sound like an accusation.

Zako''s dead, I growled. "I don''t know who the dragonfire you are or who your king is but I''m not going anywhere with you, that''s for damn sure.

He harrumphed and drew his glove back on. ''As you wish.''

I began to inch away, careful not to turn my back on the foreigners, but before I could make it a few feet one of the others hurled something at me.

I identified what it was only as the glass shattered at my feet—some kind of potion bottle. "What...?"

The man with the ring bellowed, "Everyone else, stay away."

Thin tendrils of a saturated, bespelled blue wafted up like smoke. When I jerked away, shuffling backward then running, they sped toward me fast as the flick of a dragon tail, latching on to me as if they had thorns.

A cry gargled in my throat as the fog-like substance held me with the strength of our strongest rope. I thrashed against it as it wound around my torso, binding me.

I could still reach my blades. Fingers already grasping their grips, my vision swirled and darkened, the deep density of midnight descending upon me without mercy.

The last thing I registered was a blur of golden yellow as Saffron bounded toward me, and Xeno, sword drawn, charging in my direction. An arrow thwacked loudly, nailing him directly in the heart. Crimson bloomed around the wound, staining his sweater.

His eyes were wide with a terror I no longer felt as whatever had been in that bottle throttled the awareness out of me.

My fingers slipped away from my blades before I could draw them, and I dropped where I stood.