Page 78 of Betrayed By Dragons

Chapter Nineteen

EMBER

My words echo through the courtyard. To expose me as what?

Atina glares at Li, whose complexion is beginning to look a little green. Well, whatever nausea or guilt he's feeling, he deserves it. How dare these two--they come to me and accuse my best friend of orchestrating the attack on the peace summit. They outright call her a Shadow Dragon.

And then they imply that she was trying to egg me into using my powers, thereby proving that I'm...what?

It's not as if the idea hasn't crossed my mind before. Rhiannon hinted at the possibility that my family tree might be more complicated than I think. But Atina and Li are saying it out loud.

They think I'm a Shadow Dragon, too.

The bracer around my wrist burns, and I want to rip it off, but I know better than to try--especially now.

The Shadow Queen's Bracer may have chosen me. I may have blood running through my veins that terrifies me. But none of that defines me. Amy, Jett and Rhiannon are good people, no matter where they come from, and no matter who or what I am, I'm determined to do what feels right in my heart.

Atina's smile is so fake it hurts as she tries again. "Forgive my colleague. He's still suffering the effects of the attack the other night."

She's not wrong about that. The still-fading bruises add a purple hue to the green. I feel bad, questioning his intentions when he fought to help us escape the Stone Kingdom's royal guard. But seriously--he's acting so weird.

"If you would just allow us to show you the evidence we've collected," she implores, and there she goes again, trying to get me to follow her to the car they have parked outside the gate.

Planting my feet even more firmly, I try in vain to fling another message into the bond I share with my mates. I'm not going anywhere without them. I cast about in my mind, trying to come up with some other way to stall.

But then I don't have to.

Through our connection, I can feel Jianyu and Rafe. They heard me. They're coming.

It's all I can do not to smirk as the door behind Atina and Li bursts open.

My mates surge forward. Jianyu's cold glare is a mask for the protectiveness and rage bubbling inside of him. Rafe, on the other hand, makes no secret of the fact that he's prepared to tear any enemies limb from limb.

And yet...

My smile flickers. They're both holding something back. There's a hesitance to them, and my chest tightens.

I did just run out of the conference room after freaking out on them and maybe exercising a bit of Stone and Fire Dragon magic that I didn't know I had. They're well within their rights to be a bit reserved.

It still makes my insides twist, though, sending an unnamable anxiety fluttering behind my ribs.

The two men catch sight of Atina and Li, and they slow. Jianyu's brows pinch together, while Rafe glances between the two of them and outright says, "What the fuck is going on?"

I open my mouth, preparing to tell them exactly that.

But before I can, Atina smoothly turns and addresses them. "Important information has come to light."

Li looks to me and then to Jianyu and Rafe, and if it's possible, his complexion turns an even more unhealthy color.

"We have a new lead in the investigation into the sabotage at the peace summit," Atina continues.

"Do you now," Rafe asks.

Li is shaky, but he agrees. "We do."

"It's not true," I start.

But before I can say anymore to defend Amy, Atina cuts me off. "We believe the culprit was none other than Ember herself."

---