Page 59 of So I Dared a Dragon

I pointed at the paper. “But the other exhibits have these little stickers saying coming soon.”

There were a few placards on the wall, but they offered explanations for empty hooks. The chill that went down my spine confirmed something was way off.

In the distance, there was a commotion. Aarix growled, and his grip on my back had purpose.

Marissa appeared, clutching her tablet, her eyes wide.

“I need the two of you to come with me,” she said, waving us toward the door.

“Why?” Aarix didn’t move.

Marissa pursed her lips. “Everyone’s freaking out because relics have been disappearing ever since you walked in. This whole exhibit just vanished. They’re afraid if I don’t get you out of here, everything will be lost.”

“They thinkI’mdoing that?” There was no other option. I made words disappear, and now I was making objects fizzle into thin air.

“Possibly, or something is working to keep you from seeing things.” Marissa tipped her head toward the door. “Let’s get out of here. Things are about to get ugly. Let them figure it out.”

“We’ve barely started our date,” I protested. Bibi and Hugo were on their way toward us.

Everything on Bibi’s face was drawn down. I’d never seen her look so distraught before, and our old pack had put her in some fierce battles. This wolf had seen some shit. “Until we have an explanation for what’s happening, it’s best that we don’t have you near any more ancient artifacts.”

“Let’s go,” Aarix said, pulling me against his body. “We won’t find the answers we need here.”

“Of course we won’t if we let them force us out of here.” People were looking at us, and it probably wasn’t because my words were too loud. I was the one who made history disappear. “I’m not the one who needs to leave. Someone is making this happen.”

Bibi gave me that look only a best friend could give—a mix of sympathy and sobering realness.

“Let them have their museum. Their past. We don’t need it.” Aarix talked a good game, but his body was stiff. His vibration had changed.

Marissa attempted a tight-lipped smile. “I promise you’ll love the next part of the date.”

“You will.” Aarix’s smile was much more genuine. “We can do this without them.”

Reluctantly, I followed the entourage out the door, past the paparazzi—who could smell blood in the water—and into the van. I’d told myself I was done running, and this felt too much like tucking tail. Playing dead. I was furious no one was willing to fight for us. For me. But it was possible I caused this history to vanish, and I had no idea how to stop it.

twenty-one

. . .

Calista

Aarix put his big hand on top of mine. The silver filigree on the talon cones glowed in the moonlight.

We were driving away from Sunset Springs. Not back to Bibi’s house or to the chalet. I was still too furious to ask any questions. Anything I said was sure to come out all wrong, make things worse, and be used against me. Chances were production was putting me into quarantine until they figured out how to make this curse stop.

If that was the case, at least they let me keep my dragon.

The scales on my arm were cold, which was new. Part of me wished I could rip them off and see if they were the cause of the madness. But the rest of me hated that idea. Aarix had given them to me—my beautiful, tragic mate who wanted nothing more than to right his past wrongs.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I’d been planning our date before you got impatient.” He squeezed my hand. “So when Bibi told me there was a change of plans, I asked if we could still do this.”

I slid my glance over to him, trying to play it cool. But the truth was, my stupid heart skipped many beats at the thought ofthe dragon trying to impress me. “Did you know my plan would be a disaster?”

All I’d wanted to do was kiss the dragon. I never thought it would come at such a price.

“I thought we’d be celebrating,” he said. “And we still will. Don’t beat yourself up over this, sunshine. I don’t plan on letting this ruin our night.”

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