His arms slid around me, drawing me close as a soft exhale escaped him. I closed my eyes, letting the horror, stress and fear of the past few days fade away, momentarily forgotten. Garret’s kisses were gentle, unhurried, though they were laced with passion and relief. Heat flickered between us, and for the very first time, there were no feelings of reluctance. No anger, disgust or snarling protests from the dragon. No confusion or doubt. Just acceptance. And something so powerful it felt like my insides were going to erupt into flame and consume me from within.

I am in love with this human, I thought, and it felt completely right.

The soft creak of the door opening interrupted us. We pulled back as a girl entered the room with an armful of sheets and blankets.

She jumped when she saw us, her eyes widening. I gasped in surprise. “Nettle?” I exclaimed as the other hatchling gaped at me. Dark and willowy, her dreadlocks bristling atop her head like spines, she looked unchanged from the day I’d met her in Crescent Beach. “What are you doing here?”

“Um, duh. Emergency recall signal.” Apparently, Nettle could recover quickly enough for a smart comeback. “Every nest and safe house in the system has been ordered to clear out and come here. Remy and I just arrived a few minutes ago, and there’s a whole heap of hatchlings wandering around downstairs. Where have you been?”

“Sleeping,” I muttered as Garret gave a quiet chuckle and released me. “Besides, that’s not what I meant. Why are you here?” I gestured around us. “In my room?”

“Because all the other rooms have been taken.” Nettle looked annoyed at having to explain this. “And everyone has to double up. Your room was the last one to go.” She glanced at Garret and arched an eyebrow. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were busy. Do you two need a moment?”

I frowned, but Garret touched the back of my arm before I could say anything. “No, it’s all right,” he stated. “Riley wanted us to find him as soon as Ember woke up. And Wes arrived a couple hours ago. We should go see what they’re planning.”

“Oh,” I said. “Right.” Back to reality. Much as I wanted to close the door and have Garret all to myself, we couldn’t relax. Talon was still out there. The Night of Fang and Fire was still coming. If I knew Riley, he was doing everything he could to prepare and hunker down. “Any idea where they are?”

“Riley is outside somewhere,” Nettle answered, moving to the twin bed opposite mine and tossing her sheets to the mattress. “I heard Remy say he’s in the tornado shelter out back. I guess he’s expecting a storm or something.”