Page 70 of Destiny of the Dragons

“No, I haven’t even begun with you.”

Zian looked between her and Jace. He was sitting close to Keyona, his body angled toward her.

Looked like Keyona wasn’t taking her own advice of staying away from dragons.

Jace pulled her seat out. Mia sat and Jace sat next to her, facing Keyona. “You’re right. I’m a rat bastard who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Mia.”

Keyona scowled. “You’re not going to throw me off the scent by speaking the truth.”

The curtain went up. Jace nodded at Keyona. “Yell at me after Selene’s show, okay?”

“You can bet I will.” Keyona shot him a glare before looking at Zian. “Your boss is an asshole.”

Zian looked at her. “I’m Zian, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh, Zian, this is Mia. Mia, this is Jace’s poor assistant who I have been tormenting for months.”

Zian looked happy for some reason. “I open the mail.”

Mia almost laughed. Keyona had been sending Jace hate mail for months.

The lights went up, and Jace grinned. “Oh look, the show is starting.”

Selene stepped on stage, looking radiant in her silver glittery dress. Her long silver hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she’d done a smoky eye with silvers. She looked glamorous, but despite her smile, her shoulders were tense.

The show started. Selene sang her heart out. Mia enjoyed her friend’s performance, but something was off. Selene’s voice was perfect, as usual, but there was extra power behind it, and she almost seemed desperate.

Like she was trying to cast a spell that wouldn’t come.

The air around them dropped, and goosebumps raced over her arms.

“Something’s wrong,” Mia said.

Keyona frowned. “She’s about to lose it.”

Jace and Zian both tensed.

“She about to molt?” Jace leaned in and asked her.

Mia shrugged. “I don’t know? She hasn’t said anything about it. Her magic feels…jammed up.”

The show went on, the audience cheering, oblivious to Selene’s problem. During the crescendo of the last song, thunder and lightning crackled in the air. People jumped but then clapped.

Selene pasting a smile on her face, and left the stage.

All four of them stood up at once. “She’s backstage.” Mia led them around the stage.

Selene was sitting in a chair, hugging herself. Her breath was coming in short pants and she was pale.

“Selene, what’s wrong?” Mia closed the distance between them. Selene shook her head.

A man came from the other side of the stage, frowning. “Selene, what the hell?”

“Fuck off, Jesse,” Selene managed.

Keyona faced Jesse, like a dog that had caught the scent. “You’re Jesse?”

The guy was good-looking, with a bad boy swagger Selene seemed to like. He had short brown hair and a nose that had been broken before. “Yes?”

---