Page 171 of Scars Like Wings

“You are such a bully to what is essentially your genetic cousin.”

Thompson coughed to cover his chuckle, but Everett didn’t miss it. He shook his head again. “Good to see you’re in perfect health, kiddo.”

I got comfortable again before continuing. “Anyway,so far the only thing dying tonight has been furniture and my optimism about going on trips with Quinn and her family in the future.”

Simone chuckled. “Something always does seem to happen every time we go on a trip, huh?”

“What else has happened?”

“Everett, be a father later,” Talli reprimanded. “Let’s focus on the task at hand, yeah?”

Everett snorted. I’m sure he was rolling his eyes. Talli ignored him. “Maisie and Teddy, I’m going to teach you both how to do this, since it would be good for you two to know. When I’m done, Byrdie-Bee, you are going to have glamor tattoos just like your mom and dad hiding your tail, wings, and scales, but you will be able to surface them and manifest them when you want. Okay?”

“Will my scars be gone then? What about the tattoos already on my legs?”

“They will all be like a backdrop to them. I would never cover them up, love. I swear.” Talli smiled. “Also, your scars are already gone, actually.”

“Haha, so I will have that tattoo after all.” I chuckled, and Maisie snorted.

“This shouldn’t take too long, and it won’t hurt. Can you take your clothes off for me?”

“Jeez, Talli, you really should take me to dinner first,” I joked before sitting up to take off my shirt and shorts. I stretched out the cramps in my wings and tail.

Talli rolled her eyes. “I can really tell you were raised by Everett.”

Uncle Everett and I chuckled while I laid back on the couch. Talli got to work out of the corner of my eye.

“Now, Byrdie-Bee, just lay still for me. You two,” she gestured to Thompson and Maisie, “need to know how to do this and more. I’m guessing neither of you know anything dragonborn?”

They both shook their heads.

“Perfectly fine. Byrd’s case is highly unusual, honestly for multiple reasons. Normally, the manifestation of a dragon is gradual and not so instantaneous. Even if the dragon has beentucked away. I’m curious what could have triggered the shift tonight.”

I shrugged slightly. “Maybe the danger of it all?”

“How in the freshfuckdid a hunter get through all of that security in that house on that island, anyway?” Uncle Everett asked.

“Honestly, no idea.” Simone shook her head. “I spoke with Jacques, the head of security, before we left, and he said they didn’t find any forced entry or exit. He’s a shark shifter, so he scented the perfume. His fae associate sensed some weird magic, and they could feel its power even though they couldn’t fully trace it. It faded quickly, too.”

“Question, would this help someone break in and be the source of that magic?” Maisie gestured toward her luggage, and the bubble containing the cursed dagger landed softly in her hands. She popped it and held it. Instantly, the power radiating from the knife was so strong, it hit me all at once. It was so harsh andwrongI wanted to throw up. Instead, I growled loudly, honed in on the blade. I crouched ready to pounce. My skin rippled as I felt my scales spread and multiply. Thompson and Everett had to dodge my tail whipping back and forth behind me. Dinah ran into my bedroom with a loud meow as my wings created a swirl of wind. The magic for me to shift into a full dragon sparked ready to be summoned to protect me from the threat.

“That’s a hell of a response in Byrd from a tiny sword. But why?” Talli took it from Maisie, got up, and walked a little far away from me. I bristled, but I was able to calm down enough to lay down again, ensuring my tail stilled and my wings relaxed. Simone grabbed my hand to calm me. It helped.

“Could it be the Archaic on there?” Maisie asked.

“That looks like an Archaic, but it also isn’t one,” Thompson said, looking at the dagger along with Talli.

“You are both right. It’s like an Archaic, but not quite. It seems… older?”

“That dagger is similar to something I’ve seen and felt before.” I realized then. “When Pops and Aunt Max died, there was a hunter who had a gun and knife with magic just like that.”

“Byrd is right. I remember seeing that same glow that night, too,” Everett added.

“Hunters have weapons, sure, but where would they get weapons likethat?”

“That is an interesting question, Bee. What do you all know about the connection between hunters, fitches, and dragon-shifters?”

“Feeling like not as much as I should?” I replied for everyone.

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