Page 40 of Dragon Unleashed

She titters, covering her heart with her hands and batting her eyelashes.

“Time to go, soldier.” Silas adds, “Put your damn pants on.”

He’s an asshole. My father’s man who fooled me into believing he was loyal to me. But at this precise moment I could kiss him.

As we move away, he grips my elbow and lowers his voice.

“He did itagain, Farrell? I thought he’d moved past that.” He clears his throat. “I’m sorry, kid.”

My dragon roars beneath the surface. He’s way more difficult to keep tamped down now I’ve given my charm to Lori. And he’s very unimpressed at being called a kid.

“He won’t do it again. I made sure.”

“Good.” Something about how genuine Silas sounds… He was the closest thing I had to someone who cared growing up. I risk a glance at him, and the sadness in his eyes says what his words don’t. Maybe he is my father’s man, but some part of him does care.

“I’m afraid, Silas.” I rub at the scruff on my face. “He’ll find another way. He’ll go after them to get at me.”

Silas’ normally sure footing falters and he grasps my arm. “I’m not the only one he has watching them, Farrell. Not the only one watching her.”

Just voicing those words could get him killed. Whatever my father holds over Silas, his concern for Lorelei is genuine.

“I know. She’s not trying hard enough. Nottryingto appease Father. Why is she so damn stubborn?” I stop in my tracks. “I have to talk to her again.”

“Do it,” Silas calls after my retreating back. “And soldier? Have a damn shave.”

The little brat has avoided me all day. At least she can’t avoid Lady Tenebrae’s summons. We’ve been pulled into her private office, no doubt courtesy of my father. I shift uncomfortably in the hard plastic seat, watching the seconds tick away on the fancy cuckoo clock.What does he want?Lady Tenebrae won’t talk until Lorelei is here, and Lori is, of course, late. That girl lives to wind me up.

When the office door finally opens, I sit up straighter, smoothing my hair down. Lorelei inspects the room carefullybefore entering, her face dropping when she spots me. She’s walking normally, no limps. And she’s still wearing my charm. The chain peeks out from under her shirt, catching the light, glittering. My fists uncurl. She’s here. Unharmed. Wearing the suppression. It’s as good as I can hope for.

“Thank you for finally joining us, Lorelei,” Lady Tenebrae snaps. “I’ll keep this short. I have better things to do with my evenings than hold impromptu chats with students.”

Lorelei slinks farther into the room and slouches into the chair next to me. I could wring her little neck. If she’d just sit up straight and look interested, flatter Lady Tenebrae a bit…

“Proceed,” Lorelei says, and Lady Tenebrae’s lip lifts in a snarl.

Clearly these two have not been getting on in their training sessions.

Lady Tenebrae turns to me, a forced smile on her face. “As you know, Farrell, your father would like to move things along. He’s asked me to give you this.”

She opens her desk drawer and pulls out a small, very worn ring box. Lorelei sits forward, but my heart sinks. I know what’s in there. He was supposed to give me more time. I snatch the box from Lady Tenebrae’s hands. Stuffing it deep into my jacket pocket, I turn on the megawatt smile.

“Now, now, Lady Tenebrae, you’re spoiling my surprise.”

Lorelei’s eyes fly between my pocket and Lady Tenebrae.

“What was that?” she asks.

Lady Tenebrae’s grin is nothing short of pure wickedness. “I’ll risk Farrell’s wrath and let you in on a little secret. That belonged to his mother.”

Lorelei stares at me, chewing her lip.

“It contains her engagement ring,” Lady Tenebrae finishes.

I screw my eyes up tight, take a deep breath, and open them. One glance at Lori tells me everything. Her emotions areplastered all over her face. What the hell has Silas been teaching her, if not self-control?

In one smooth movement she rips her necklace off and slams it into my chest. She strains her little face up into mine, her cheeks tinged pink.

“Gifting me a trinket is one thing, but your mother’s engagement ring? Are you crazy?”

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