You need Cara’s help to heal,I told him.
I am healing on my own. The Watchers have enough damned work to do.
But—
I had Bess heal Fang. She lost a ton of hair, looks fucking hilarious. But we made it. We’re watching the moons rise…
The words trailed off, but I caught the merest glimpse of an invitation in them. I sensed Marcus’s surprise. That he’d been following along with the exchange became obvious when he pulled me close and lowered his lips to my ear.
“I think the Dragon has had a change of heart. Maybe we should join him.”
Before I could respond to all the innuendos running beneath his words, Ash walked into the library. He had Talakai with him. The assassin Dragon had forgone his own healing and was a bloody mess.
Neither looked like they brought good news. Cara glanced up.
“Has Tyrez organized things?” she asked.
Ash nodded. “He’s dispersed most of the army but has retained a group to assess the stronghold. The surveillance flight has confirmed that the place is vacating as fast as anyone can move. He doubts there will be much left to deal with. He led a team into the damaged section—the coven and Fire Drake are long gone.” He hesitated, and then said, “They have recovered Vali’s remains. There will be a ceremony for her at dawn.”
My heart constricted, but when Cara glanced at him, he added, “The Dragons wish to honor her sacrifice. It will be a Legion ceremony.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but Marcus’s arms tightened. “That’s quite an honor,” he whispered.
“She deserves it,” Kiko choked out.
Talakai swayed restlessly from foot to foot. “The Cryptid council has also ordered us back to the academy.” His gaze moved to Rafael. “The Liberi Elders want to ensure that Rafael is brought into custody.”
I sat up. “What do they mean, brought into custody?”
Ash’s weird gold eyes fastened on me, but his voice was resigned. “His association with Isobel was a lifelong thing…”
“They are afraid of what I can do,” Rafael said softly. His gaze flicked to me, and away again. “And they should be.”
“You killed Isobel.” Cara’s matter-of-fact voice was convincing. “And that will count for much.”
“The Liberi Elders are not known for their logic.” A muscle jumped in Sebastian’s cheek as Bess washed blood away from a deep shoulder gash.
“What will they do to him?” I asked, my heart in my mouth.
Cara’s lips pulled straight. “They’ll want him brought to our home realm, and kept there.”
My mouth dropped open. “Kept? As in jailed?”
“We don’t jail,” Bess said. “But he won’t be able to leave.”
“They tried it with Nikolai.” Cara took hold of Rafael’s arm. “But he was mated. And in all honesty, they can’t contain Nikolai.”
Rafael’s gaze remained lowered to the table. “They might find it hard to contain me, too.”
Memories of how he’d commanded me sent a chill through my core.
“Isobel managed you,” Talakai said. He watched Rafael closely, and he’d stopped swaying.
Rafael looked back at him, and the big Dragon stiffened. I caught a glimpse of glowing silver and gold in Rafael’s eyes. “Isobel had the power of the coven and the bloodmagic,” he said in a low voice. “But things have changed.Ihave changed.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I’m not certain I can be caged, any longer. Although it might be best if I was.”
His words fell into a sudden silence, but Cara kept working, her fingers sliding gently over the ravaged flesh of Rafael’s hands. “First things first, so let’s get you healed. And then we’ll take on the cretins trying to rule the world. Okay?”
Rafael didn’t answer, but his gaze dropped again to the table.
