“We’ve all lost someone, hatchling,” Riley interrupted with a growl. “There’s not one of us who hasn’t been affected by the war. We’ve all been shot at. We’ve all seen friends die.” His voice softened a bit, his eyes going dark. “I remember that day. I remember getting the call from your guardian. I was going to move you and Isaac to another safe house because there were rumors of St. George activity in the area. But I waited too long and didn’t make the call in time. If you want to blame anyone for that, blame me.”

Kain glowered, looking sullen, and Riley sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not here to argue with you,” he said. “I’ll make this perfectly clear once, after that I’ll get really annoyed. There is to be no fighting with anyone on this property. Human, dragon, soldier, rabid bull, I don’t care. This happens again, the next one you’ll be fighting is me. You got that?”

“Yeah,” Kain mumbled, looking at the ground. “I got it.”

Riley gave a short nod. “Then get out of here, all three of you. Save the fighting for when Talon or the Order storms the property. Move.” They scrambled off, heading back toward the farmhouse. Riley shook his head.

“Idiot hatchlings,” he muttered, crossing his arms. “Looks like I’m going to have to have a talk with everyone about what is and isn’t allowed around here. Though you would think ‘no Shifting, no flying, no beating the crap out of anyone’ would be common sense by now.” He glanced at Ember, still in dragon form, and raised an eyebrow. “I’m including you in that statement, Firebrand.”

She snorted and raised her chin. “Not sorry.”

“Color me shocked.”

I took a quiet breath. “Thanks,” I said, making them finally turn to look at me. “But you didn’t need to do that. Either of you. I could’ve handled it.”

“They were assholes.” The red dragon’s gaze narrowed, scrutinizing. “And three on one is not cool, in any world.” She thumped her tail against the ground. “Besides,” she continued, still glaring at me, “I know you, Garret. Would you have even fought back?”

I shrugged. “I know how to take a hit without being seriously injured. If I fought back, they might’ve Shifted, and then the potential for serious harm would be almost unavoidable. And I didn’t want you to have to deal with that.” I gave her a wry smile. “If I’m going to get beat up, I’d rather three humans do it than three dragons.”

“Don’t be so fucking noble, St. George,” Riley said. “It makes me want to punch your lights out.”