Page 48 of Cage Me

Okay. “I didn't say anything. Are you psychic?”

“No. I have the ability to sense emotions. Your jealousy and worry practically smacked me in the face.”

“I hate it when she does that.” Jada smiled at her.

“Sorry. I'm still kind of new to the whole white witch thing. I didn't even know dragons existed until Jakob kidnapped me.”

A cool breeze moved through the tent and a swirl of beautiful white light swished into the room and concentrated itself near the doughnuts. Azy blinked and then instead of light, a beautiful woman with long flowing hair almost as dark as hers and a white dress was sitting next to Jada. She picked up a doughnut and a cup of coffee floated into her hand. She dumped the doughnut as if she had been sitting with them the whole time.

“Well, Jakob was just following his instincts, and it was the fastest way to bring you two together.” She took a bite and coffee dribble down her ten. “Jada, these are divine.”

Neither of the other two women said anything, probably because there jaws were on the floor. Not literally, but almost.

It wasn't like Azy knew what to say to the apparition, so she waited for the women to get their senses back. Jada recovered first, but instead of saying anything she topped up the woman in White's cup of coffee.

Ciara finally found her voice. “Mrs. Bohacek?”

“Ciara, dear. I think you can call me Inanna now. The magic coming along?”

Ciara tipped her head and a little tray with sugar and creamer floated over to Inanna.

“Well done.” The woman took three cubes and plopped them into her mug. Then she turned to Jada. “Portia's fine. She's at the the seat of the gold wyr and giving her makes a helluva time.”

“Mates?”

Inanna did not reply to Jade's question and turned her attention to Azy. Her gaze was completely disconcerting as if she knew all of Azy's secrets. They stared at each other for longer than was comfortable, for Azy anyway. Inanna didn't seem bothered in the least. She sipped on her coffee and crossed her legs.

“Do we need to leave?” Jada asked.

Inanna set her coffee cup down and shook her head. “No, it's fine. You won't remember I was here anyway.”

“Damn.” Jada didn't actually seem to be that bothered by the news.

“I'm to try to,” Ciara said.

Inanna again didn't respond. “Azynsa, I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“Why?” She didn't understand who or what this woman was, but she could feel the power emanating from her. All nonhumans had a magical aura and Azy had not understood what she was sensing when she was younger. She didn't understand until her father's death had left a dark place where his aura used to be.

“You get your strong sense of justice from him, little dragon daughter. I am glad he passed that on to you before he was killed.”

Azy had a million questions but couldn't get any of them out past the lump the size of Gibraltar in her throat. “How do you know about my father?”

“He is one of my sons, as you are one of my daughters.”

This was a confusing conversation that Azy didn't want to have anymore. She looked to Ciara and Jada to help her out, but they were both frozen in time. “I don't understand. I know my father was special, but he was just a cop who was shot by a gang. My mother was a mermaid who left me in his care. Also, I thought there were no such thing as female dragons. How can I be a dragon daughter?”

“We all have secrets dear. Your father was very special. Kur and I were very sad when he lost his battle to the demon dragons, protecting you.”

Rage bubbled up inside of Azy. “My father was killed in a gang shooting. It was my fault. I never should have told him they were harassing me.”

She had never said that outloud before. The words burned like acid coming out of her mouth.

“Look inside your heart, Azy. Your mind has protected you from the truth for long enough.” Inanna waved her hand over Azy's face and the tears came.

She let them flow, knowing they were helping to heal old wounds from the inside out. When she was all cried out Inanna floated a handkerchief across to her. “Will I remember my father was a blue dragon that was slain by Kur-Jara's bastards after you leave?”

“Some of that you always know in your heart.”

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