Page 40 of Dragon Awakened

"Huh," Rafe says, pulling his hand back and glancing around.

Even in the dark, the shop is unmistakable, with its distinctive scent of dust and old books and maybe just a hint of Lemon Pledge. That said, as I survey the area, a few changes are immediately apparent.

"It, uh." I chew the inside of my lip. "Used to be a little bit better kept up."

Guilt gnaws at me. The gods know that I didn't exactly plan my exit from the Air Kingdom. Storm and I were discovered, and King Zephyr sentenced me to exile, and then I had about four hours to get myself and all my earthly possessions over the border.

That doesn't change the fact that I clearly left Maude in the lurch. I only worked here part-time, but I did most of the straightening up and sorting through consignments and donations. In my absence, I'm not sure anyone's sorted through anything. The shelves are dusty and overcrowded, with piles of loose items on the floor.

As I'm processing the general state of disarray, Jianyu does a quick survey of the perimeter, checking in the back room and peeking out windows.

"Everything is secure," he informs us. His brow crinkles. "But..."

"Yeah," I agree. "It's a mess."

Malik keeps his expression markedly neutral as he looks around. "I take it this is not typical."

"I mean, it was never pristine, but no. It was never this bad, either."

This was our safest place to materialize, but we can't linger here. Maude's clearly having enough trouble as it is. I couldn't live with it if I brought more hardship to her door.

Also, there's barely space to walk, much less forge a life-altering soul-bond with a guy I hate.

"We'll have to bring Fury someplace else," I decide.

Rafe raises a brow. "You have a spot in mind?"

Grimly, I nod. It's a risk, but...

"I do."

Five minutes later, I'm standing in a darkened alley outside a building I never expected to ever set foot in again.

"Coast is clear," Rafe calls from just inside the door. Even though there were no signs of life inside, he and Malik insisted on going in first to make sure it was safe.

Jianyu nods and puts his hand to the small of my back. My throat grates as I swallow.

The first things to hit me as I enter are the scents of motor oil and spicy, male dragon. I clench down inside, and my heart squeezes with an excruciating pang within my chest.

A few months ago, Storm's garage was our sanctuary. We could meet up freely here, whereas everywhere else in Wynrath Crest, he had to pretend he didn't even know me.

But here? We talked and laughed, and I watched him repair engines. We fucked and made love, and it was the happiest place in my world, most days.

Unlike Maude's shop, the garage is basically the same as ever--if maybe a little tidier than I remember. But there's a coldness to it. A couple of new dents in the floor and wall, and a bit of ash in a corner of the ceiling.

All I can think of is Storm, pacing this place in a rage. Throwing something. His enormous silver dragon couldn't fit in the enclosed space, but it would be huge within his spirit--maybe large enough to spit fire.

Did he let out some of his anger, here, after his father and brother kicked me out of the kingdom?

What has he been doing since then?

Does he miss me? With the all-consuming pain that I missed him?

More importantly--do I care?

No. I don't.

I won't.

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