Page 107 of Walking in Darkness

Connie’s gaze snapped to Kit’s pale face. Knew it? What did Kit know? And why was he staring at that other being like he knew them?

“Hello again, Kit. It’s nice to see you.”

Kit sighed heavily. “Hello, Gaura.”

Connie blinked. He actually felt all the blood drain from his face. Gaura? But, but… that couldn’t be.

“Dragon gods,” Hudson whispered.

Holy shit, it could be.

That voice belonged to their god. Connie was so shocked he couldn’t move, much less say anything. All he could do wasstare at the vision in front of him and… gape like a fish out of water.

A quick look at Hudson confirmed he was in no better condition. Kit was the only one out of the three of them who wasn’t glued to the floor in shock.

“Gaura,” Connie whispered.

Holy shit, that was their god, and they were just staring at them. It must have hit him and Hudson at the same time because they both scrambled to their knees and bowed their heads.

“Gaura prefers they/them, guys. Remember?” Kit asked.

Connie was having trouble understanding what his brain was telling him. That was their dragon deity standing in front of them, and he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“Please arise and look at me.”

They obeyed.

Gaura had the grayish-white membrane-looking skin that resulted from a partial transformation. Horns spiraled up from the upper forehead region, and they had pointed ears like he and Hudson had in this form.

But that was all they had in common. Gaura was insanely tall. They even had several feet on Hudson, which was saying something. Connie was hard.

Hudson helped Connie to his feet and then Kit. He seemed to have better control over his limbs, but he was certainly pale.

“What title should we use to address you?” Hudson finally asked.

“Gaura is fine. I am neither a god nor a goddess, but both. As Kit said, I prefer neither masculine nor feminine pronouns because, again, I am both. I am all. I wanted to appear to you first in my true form, but now I’m going to assume my secondary form because Kit is still freaked out by me.”

Kit didn’t say anything, just groaned.

“Which is fine. I completely understand,” Gaura said. “To a human, I am quite terrifying.”

And they sounded quite proud of it if Connie wasn’t mistaken. A whirlwind of fire suddenly engulfed Gaura. When it dissipated, Gaura appeared more humanlike.

No matter the form Gaura took, they were still incredibly attractive. Their eyes hadn’t changed, but their hair was actually hair now.

The color was a deep auburn like Hudson’s and extended to the ground. Connie couldn’t imagine how heavy that had to be. The fire wings were gone, as were the legs that bent the wrong way. And no muzzle. Their features were still very androgynous, with high cheekbones and full lips.

There were still scales in place of their eyebrows. Now they were clothed in an expensive-looking power suit, minus a shirt, and they wore heels.

“If you wouldn’t mind, a glass of your human-made wine would be much appreciated,” Gaura said.

Both Hudson and Connie looked at the shattered remains of their glasses.

“The only glass we have is what I drank from. Why don’t I run to the kitchen and get a new wineglass while you guys talk?” Kit edged toward the door.

“That won’t be necessary.” Gaura waved their hand, and a jewel encrusted goblet appeared.

Hudson sprang into action and grabbed the wine bottle. Hurrying forward, he filled their goblet.

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