Page 14 of Lyric

“It’s all right,” Lyric said, petting my shoulder. “There’s no sign of him. Lyrican will protect you if he comes back.”

“I have a job. Friends. I’m not the kind of person who gets in trouble. I barely know Colt. But he’s a bad man.”

“I believe you. Now I’m sorry I never bring my cell phone out here,” Lyric said.

I looked around, seeing better now that I’d had a quickie nap and coffee. The roost was immense. There was shelter from the treetops, but also a little wooden patio. That was near where the bins had been attached. We sat under the edge of the shelter. The moss beneath me was cool, soothing to my cuts.

“I like your roost.”

“Thanks. Lyrican and I like peace and quiet, especially after a big race. We spent a long time building it and add to it every year.”

“It shows a lot of care.”

“We’ve never had anyone up here.”

“I’m intruding. I’m sorry.” I handed him my empty cup.

“I didn’t mean you weren’t welcome. We’re happy to help anyone. We simply never see people way out this far.”

I lowered my head. “I’m just afraid I’ve brought you into danger, too.”

“Lyrican and I can take care of ourselves. We’ll be fine.” He pulled out a bag and started shuffling through it. “Now, let’s see if we can take care of the worst cuts, at least.”

I flushed all over. I wasn’t used to being naked with others. I always shifted alone. Plus, Lyric was quite distracting, all famous and handsome. With those intense topaz eyes.

He took out a bottle of water, a washcloth, a pack of wet wipes, a tube of antiseptic and some bandages.

“I noticed some bad cuts on your back. Let’s start there,” he said.

I leaned forward, clutching the fleecy blanket to my crotch. I tried not to hiss as the wet cloth touched my skin. My entire body started flaring with stings and aches as I realized how torn up I was. If I’d been able to keep my dragon form, I would have had scales to protect me. Also, Colt would have caught me much sooner and I’d for sure be dead by now.

I couldn’t help the hiss that escaped my lips.

“Sorry,” Lyric said. “I’ll try to be gentle.”

“It’s okay. Do what you have to do. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can.”

The hands on my back stopped moving. “You’re not in my hair. I told you you’re welcome here.”

“Thank you.” I shut my eyes as the cloth started moving again.

It all hurt at first. But the antiseptic must have had a numbing agent in it, as well, because after a while the cuts stopped smarting. The bandages over the worst ones tugged a little as I moved, but I got used to them fast.

When Lyric got to my chest, the up-close heat of him stirred something deep inside me. I stared at his smooth muscles with envy. And attraction.

Though his gestures were careful as he cleaned my wounds, much to my embarrassment, my nipples hardened.

A stirring came like a deep call from the unknown. Jinnan hopped awake inside me.

Mate. Alpha mate. Not Colt.

The words shocked me. I’d never heard my dragon talk like this. Not even during our heats.

I couldn’t even imagine this alpha would want someone like me. Sure, I was a rare omega, but he was famous and important. I was no one. He’d rescued me, which if I was in another time and place I might see as seriously romantic, but right now I was a hot mess. Not to mention I’d brought danger to him and his dragon.

Just as I had that thought, I heard a swooping sound overhead. It was coming closer at a fast speed.

7

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