Page 2 of Surge of Ice

“We can handle it,” Evander says, too quickly. “The question is whether we want to risk your life. And the thing is, we don’t.”

An overwhelming desire to smack the two of their heads together comes over me, but I try to remind myself the two idiots mean well. They just need to be reminded where they stand with me.

I shrug, trying to keep calm. “Unfortunately for you, I’m a human being who gets to make her own decisions, so I’ll be going, with or without you, so you don’t have to worry your pretty little head about anything. I’ve already made the decision about what I’m going to do for myself. You only need to discuss whether or not you’re coming with me.”

It’s a ploy. I would never be stupid enough to go face a strange male dragon on my own, knowing how much stronger they are than me and what they all seem to want from me, but they don’t need to know that.

Evander runs his hand over his buzzed hair in frustration, eyeing me with irritation. “You certainly like to make things harder.”

I flash a smile that feels like a warning. “I’ve been told that a time or two.”

All eyes are on me. Yeah, I meant harder like their dicks, but I just smile innocently. I know for a fact when I do that it pisses them off more.

“However this happens,” Granger says, drawing out the words, “it needs to happen quickly. If the blue dragon meets up with the brown and green dragons, it’ll be three on one. Sam will be in danger, and you guys won’t be powerful enough to stop her enemies.”

That seems to sober my guys right up. They exchange another look, holding a silent conversation before they come to some kind of conclusion. It’s weird to watch, like something deeper than we can see changed between them when we all fought together.

“Alright. We go together. But Sam keeps her distance from the blue dragon,” Aydan says.

I roll my eyes and give a salute. “Yes, sir!”

Dr. Duncan grins at me. “You’re a real fun one, aren’t you?”

“I am what I am,” I say with a grin.

Granger sighs. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for dinner and bed.”

“That sounds amazing.” I climb off the couch and hiss as my wounds pull.

Hopefully, by morning all my injuries from the green dragon will have healed.

Granger leaps to his feet and groans in pain as he reaches out for me. “You okay?” His words sound torn from his lips as he grimaces.

Aydan and Evander are already on their feet watching me, but they don’t say anything. Maybe because they look like hell too. They can’t exactly fret about me when we all battled with those asshole dragons.

My heart aches a little as I look at Granger’s pained face. He’d further hurt himself just because he’d leapt to his feet to help me. “I’m okay. Areyouokay?”

He nods, but he doesn’t look okay.

“You were caught by a dragon, dropped from high up, swam in a freezing ocean… anyone would be sore.”

“I’m fine,” he says, trying to sound casual, but there’s pain in his voice.

Evander suddenly grips his shoulder, and the expression on Granger’s face says he’s just tolerating Evander’s touch. “I meant to thank you for that. For pulling her out of the water and keeping her safe. I’ve known soldiers who would’ve hesitated to do something like that. You’re tougher than you look.”

“Gee, thanks,” he says, shrugging out from under his touch.

Evander doesn’t seem to get it, or if he does he carries on regardless. “Seriously, you’re only human, unlike the rest of us. You’re fragile. Anything you did could’ve ended in your death, but you did it anyway. That takes guts.”

Aydan wraps an arm around Granger’s shoulder, leading him toward the elevator. “You did good, man. You were a real hero today.”

This, finally, makes Granger smile.

We all climb into the elevator and get off on the floor with the cafeteria. There are several scientists sitting at tables, but their conversations die when we come in and I feel all eyes on us. It’sbecause Evander is here. Or because we’re dragon shifters. Or maybe because we all look like hell. Probably all the above.

Dinner is steak and potatoes that smell divine. I look at Evander. “Have I told you how much I appreciate the generous food budget you have here?”

Evander grins and leans down and kisses me. “Anything for you.”

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