Page 13 of Logan

The thought of the uncle she worked for, the one who should have protected her but held power over her life, made his dragon roar in his mind. He understood the danger she had faced, the precariousness of her situation. If she had left, her family’s retaliation would have been swift. She feared them, but didn’t yet understand that the dark dragons were far scarier monsters than her criminal family.

Despite the risks, despite the darkness that could engulf them both, Logan felt a pull toward her, unlike anything he had ever known. He sensed her loneliness, her isolation, and it mirrored his own in a way that pierced his heart. Though he had known the depths of solitude, the ache of longing for connection, hers seemed even more profound and more unbearable.

As he sat there, studying her with a mix of curiosity and concern, Logan knew that destiny had stepped in. And as he looked into her eyes, haunted yet resilient, Logan knew that he could not walk away—not from her, not from the bond that tethered them together, woven by fate’s unyielding hand.

“There isn’t much to tell,” she said quietly.

Emily was pulling away from him again. She had done the same thing when he had tried to heal her. She likely wasn’t aware she had erected a shield before he could send her more of his strength. He wanted to finish the process, but she looked like she was one breath away from running or passing out.

He had considered using herbs in her tea as well. His mother had an affinity for them, even though she wasn’t a daughter. Logan’s mother had been a rare druid that had been coveted by the druids and dragons alike. She had been beautiful and kind. An instructor to the other druids and, idolized by the dragons, she helped.

Her power of transmutation was so rare, and while many druids could learn it after years of practice, she had been able to help them along the way with her magic. The memory of his mother transforming into a dragon formed in his mind. She always chose to be a purple when she flew with his father, but she often teased Magnus by turning into a small gold. The previous dragon leader had adored her. Like every other dragon mate, she had helped Solara transform into a smaller version of her husband. Every clan member loved it when she chose to take their hue in the skies. She was excellent in the air and more skilled thanany other female in the skies. Logan had felt blessed to have a mother that could teach him to fly.

“What was that?” Emily asked.

He blinked, not realizing he had shared the memory. He had to be careful. His mind was naturally attuned to hers, and she wasn’t ready to have his entire life downloaded into hers. “I apologize. Your story about your mother made me think of mine.”

Emily leaned forward slightly. Her interest in his story, obvious. “The small dragon, that was your mother?”

“Yes.”

“I thought she would be a druid.”

“She was. But her power was transmutation. She could alter the makeup of anything she touched. People, plants, rocks, and more importantly, her own body.”

“Can all druids do that?”

“Druids can learn to alter their own physical makeup in time; it’s an advanced spell, but only a druid with the power of transmutation can affect her surroundings.”

“You read my mind. Does this mean I can read yours?”

Logan nodded. “If you wish to. I am always here for you, Emily. Simply reach for my mind, and we will converse telepathically. We have a special connection.”

She put the teacup to her lips. “What kind of connection?”

He had already messed up by revealing the mating ceremony. She asked about dragons, and he told her a very specific part about them. She was barely comfortable with him in the room. “All dragons speak telepathically, and you will eventually be able to speak to any one of us if you choose.”

She nibbled her lip, and his entire body hardened. How had his brethren maintained their distance at this sensitive juncture of claiming one’s mate? Legion had briefed him when he awoke that women were different and, with the druids unaware of their heritage, it made the process more delicate. His dragon didn’t careabout the treaty the dragons had with the druids, about waiting until their twenty-third birthday, or the fact that his mate had no idea she was his. He simply wanted her in his arms.

“The dark dragons have telepathic abilities, too?”

“Yes, but they are no longer connected to the clan. Is this how Laren found you?”

Emily took a bite of the cracker. “He didn’t find me. Another man did. Well, another dragon, I guess. I’m not sure what his name is, as I thought he was a delusion at first. A nightmare that I didn’t wake up from.”

“When did you last connect with him?”

“I was procuring a rare diamond from an arms dealer. The heist went off without a hitch, but as I was dropping off the item to my uncle’s contact, one of the security guards from the building found me. I have no idea how, but I used a disguise, and slipped away. When I got home, that thing was in my head.”

“Did you use magic?”

“No,” she said.

He knew she wasn’t lying, but there was more to this story. But her eyes were drooping, and her shoulders began to sag.

“A blue diamond?” he asked.

Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

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