Page 58 of Of Flames and Fallacies

Panic surges in me at the thought of patrols monitoring the area. At the thought of them discovering Daeja.

Marge takes the basket as we near the outpost wall. “Go report to Cole. When you’re done, you can help me trim these back in the healer’s quadrant.”

I scurry off to find Cole gathered with Carlisle and Darian near the outlook tower. All of their stares settle on me as I approach.

Overcome by my nerves, I bow my head awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with any of them. “Cole, I need to speak with you.”

Cole excuses himself, and I lead him out of the outpost.

Once we pass the wall, Cole begins, “Look, I know last night was scary—”

“Marge found dragon prints near the lake.”

He pauses mid-step. “What?”

“But I don’t think they’re hers. They look too big, and Marge said they might be a water dragon—”

“Show me.”

We rush toward the lake, and he drops into a crouch near the prints. His fingertips trail above the imprint.

“This is definitely not a bear or wolf. There’s no way we can pass it off as one.” He brushes his hand over the print, covering the track.

Simultaneously, we both look up, noticing the rest of the prints. Hundreds of them trailing to and from the water.

Shit.

A branch snaps behind us, and we whirl. Daeja slinks out from the shadows.

Cole’s throat bobs as he stares at her. “She’s…bigger.Significantlybigger.”

The daylight accentuates just how much bigger she is, free from darkness and shadow. I start second guessing these prints aren’t hers. Because he’s right—she ismuchbigger.

Would he actually believe me if I told him of the blue flame? How could I explain such a thing, anyway? Perhaps Willard wasn’t as crazy as Cole had thought.

But before I can attempt at an explanation, Cole interrupts my thoughts.

“How are we supposed to keep her hidden? She can’t be any smaller than a horse.”

“You weren’t supposed to come out,”I scold.

Daeja stalks toward Cole, watching him thoughtfully and stretching her neck forward to sniff him from a distance. “I thought I smelled you, I didn’t smell any other two leggers.”

Cole swallows, the necklace with his mother’s metal ring flickering in the sunlight. He’s frozen in place, still crouched over her prints. Motionless, he watches Daeja out of his periphery.

She continues circling around him, sniffing. Inching closer and closer.

“She won’t hurt you,” I murmur as I stand. I walk over to Daeja, petting her cheek. “Stop, you’re going to make him nervous.”

“Maybe he should be nervous.”

I snort, perceiving the slight jealousy in her voice.“He’s our friend. He’s on our side.”

Cole clears his throat and inch by inch, stands, his eyes glued to Daeja.

“Are you able to focus the patrols on the northern end? They can concentrate there,” I offer.

“I can try. But she needs to stay out of sight. She can’t be coming out during the day.”

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