Page 87 of Lahaina Noon

You’ve done well so far, my daughter,he whispered in her mind.

She studied his hood, trying to discern any facial features at all. She could just make out a small smile on full lips.

Your hardest challenge is still to come. Are you willing to do what is needed?

She stared nervously at him, unsure what he meant.

When the time comes, you will need to reach deep inside. Will you be able to do that?

Bridget shook her head slowly,I don’t know.

The cold wind suddenly wrapped around her ankles; she heard rustling leaves and one word.Fight.

She blinked, and Tar’n was gone.

Vaughn took her elbow. “Bridget? My love?”

She shook her head and focused on him. She’d been staring at the spot where the mysterious Tar’n had been standing before. She smiled at Vaughn and moved with him to the place where they were going to launch the next part of the attack. She heard the rumbles as the brown teams collapsed tunnels. She saw the blues and silvers preparing for their launch.

“Were you talking to Tar’n?” Vaughn asked her.

She wondered how much she could tell him. She was tired of keeping so many secrets, tired of the deception. She wanted to confide in him but knew it wasn’t time yet. “He just wished us luck,” she said, tasting the bitter, acrid tang of lies on her tongue.

Vaughn studied her; he knew something wasn’t right. “Please, what’s going on?”

She smiled at him, “Just nervous, it’s almost time. I keep thinking, what if this goes wrong? What if we miss the window? What if Jack gets hurt, or Liam, or Marco, or anyone else we love? I’m trying to keep my mind off of it, but I’m doing a terrible job.” That was better, as it was true.

He squeezed her shoulder, knowing he couldn’t promise her otherwise.

Chapter 46

It hadn’t been longsince the blues and silvers had left on their mission. They’d seen a few people try to escape. They were sucked down into the earth by the browns lurking there before they could get their bearings enough to escape into shadow. So far, the plan was going well. She’d seen Jack and the others leave on their side mission. She closed her eyes and prayed for them that all would go well.

Vaughn stood nearby, coordinating with the red’s commander. It was almost time for their main attack. They finished speaking, and Vaughn shook hands with the fierce-looking man before he walked off to his squadron to brief them.

She heard a fluttering motion and noticed a large red dragon flying in behind them.Who is that?She wondered. The dragon landed, and she heard a snarl rip from Vaughn’s throat.Oh shit,she had a second to think before he launched himself at the red.

It was Ivan.

His father transformed into human form just in time for Vaughn to barrel into him, already in his half-shifted form. He dug his talons into his father’s shoulders. “Why are you here?” he demanded through hisfangs. “You have no business here. This is not a mission for cowards and traitors.”

“Son, listen,” Ivan began.

“I’mnotyour son!” Vaughn shouted, “My father died over two hundred years ago, a hero in battle. He would never have walked away from me.”

Bridget heard the pain in Vaughn’s voice, and she wanted to tell him.

She heard a whisper in her mind,not yet.

She was angry,then when?She demanded in return.

Soon.

Several dragons had barely managed to restrain Vaughn and pull him from his father. One red lay on the ground, gasping for air for his efforts.

She turned to face him, knowing it was dangerous but trusting he wouldn’t hurt her. “Vaughn!” she grabbed his arms.

He wrapped his talons around her wrists and snarled at her. Then he looked into her eyes and dropped her like she’d burned him. His fangs and claws retracted, and his eyes held shame. His wings dropped at his side.

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