Page 29 of Surge of Ice

I try not to be insulted, since I’m pretty damn thrilled they’re actually working together, but I’m feeling overwhelmed. Zane is here, so I need to figure out what’s going on between us and ifwhat he says is true. I have to do it while not pissing off Aydan or Evander, and, somehow, I have to find another dragon if I have any hope of staying safe against the three assholes who will probably be heading for me some time soon.

Oh yeah, and I have to take a shower and a nap. Actually, maybe that’s all I need to do for now. The rest can wait.

ELEVEN

Samantha

Zane sitsup from the MRI machine and his intense gaze finds mine. He seems a bit confused and wary of the large machine, but otherwise fine. I completely understand. Everything is still so new and different for him. I imagine it’ll take awhile before all of this starts to feel normal.

Dr. Duncan and Dr. Abigail, on the other hand, are so giddy they’re practically jumping up and down like little kids. They’ve run him through one test after another, smiling and laughing every step of the way. I imagine they’ll be falling asleep tonight with all the new data clenched in their hands.

“You okay?” I ask him.

Zane smiles and climbs down from the machine, coming toward me. “I do not understand why all of this is necessary. I can tell you anything you need to know. We do not need metal and fire to answer questions.”

He reaches out, as if to touch me, and Aydan is there in an instant, stepping between us. “This is technology. All these machines, all the pictures they’re taking, they’ll helpthe scientists figure out more about dragons. Sam and I went through all the same tests.” He sounds patient, but his expression is thunderous.

I sigh, irritated by Aydan. I’m trying to get to know Zane. To see what this strange attraction is between us. To figure out if I can trust him.How can I do that if Aydan is always jumping between us?

“I do not mind the tests, if that is what my Samantha wants,” Zane says, bobbing his head.

Pulling Aydan back to my side, I give him a reassuring look, then say, “You don’t have to doanythingI want. You’re free to make your own decisions.”

Zane lifts a brow and looks at Aydan. “Do you think she really believes we have any power under her spell?”

Aydan looks surprised.

I feel myself blushing and decide to change the subject. “What was it like sleeping for so long?”

Zane seems to consider this. “There were long periods of time when I was aware of nothing, like I’d ceased to exist. But there were other periods of time when I dreamed of nothing but you and my brothers.”

“Brothers?” I ask.

“Aydan, Evander, and the storm dragon. They are my family, just as you are my family. We work together. We are bound together through our love of you, through our need to protect you. I missed them nearly as much as I missed you.” He sighs, looking a little upset. “Each time you are reborn, I have to earn their trust again. I understand. Their natural instinct is to stand between you and anything that comes after you, but I will be glad when our bond is solidified once more.”

“That’s sweet,” I say, bumping Aydan with my shoulder.

He, on the hand, looks uncomfortable, as he runs his hand through his blond hair. “It’s nothing personal.”

Zane reaches forward and takes his shoulder. “It is the dance we must do. I understand that. Eventually, I will earn your trust, just as I will earn Samantha’s love.”

Dr. Abigail joins our group, smiling. “I think that will be our last test for the day. We’ll have more than enough data to go through. Thank you, Zane, for participating, even though I know you don’t understand a lot of what we’re doing.”

He bobs his head. “Anything for Samantha.”

She gives me a knowing smile and turns on her heels, then heads back to Dr. Duncan. I wonder what she thinks about me. Actually, judging by the way she keeps staring at the half-naked ice dragon, she might be a little envious. Not that I blame her. I possibly have three beautiful men to call my own, and a fourth somewhere in this world.

I head out of the MRI room, and Aydan and Zane follow. In the main room, the elevator beeps and Granger steps off. His dark eyes find mine, and I tense a little for reasons I don’t understand. Then, he smiles, and that tension fades away.

“How did the tests go?” he asks, heading for us.

“Good.” I give Zane a smile. “He’s finished all of them, and the doctors seem excited about all the new data.”

Granger nods. “I’ll be looking over it with them. I want to find out everything we can learn to help you as fast as possible.”

Zane cocks his head. “Are you a scientist too?”

“I’m studying to be one,” Granger responds, and his friendly tone has turned a little curt.

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