Page 180 of Ash

Tyrez cleared his throat. “He doesn’t need to be physically here. I can communicate with him if we need to.”

Cody’s brows drew down, and Taran grew very still. But his mother gave a small gasp of pleasure and wrapped him in a second embrace.

“I’m so happy for you, my son.”

“So it was true, after all.” Taran shook his head. “Congrats, brother.”

“Wow, can he really talk in your head?” Razir asked.

Only then did Cody figure it out. “You’re linked with him? I didn’t know Dragons did that.”

“Apparently so,” Tyrez stated.

Cody grinned. “Well, if I’d known that’s how you rolled, we could have dated.”

Tyrez raised a dark brow. “Still could. There’s always room for one more.”

As Cody laughed, silence fell across the field.

There were no tables and chairs at this meeting. But when the council telepath, Mivra, raised her arms for attention, she was instantly granted it.

* * *

The meeting continued well into the early hours of the morning. Even once it broke up, the groups stood around finalizing details.

The three big male Dragons and the Matriarch stood with Kade and Alex. Dani drifted away from them, her mind abuzz.

The four Dragons had been appointed leaders of this enterprise. The army would be divided into five sections—two consisting of Dire packs, the other three being made up of the Sabres, the Dragonas, and the last of the Cryptids with abilities, like Dani.

But the estimations of what moved against them caused ice to parade through her veins. A combination of Alex and Jacques’s intel put the number of possible Dire packs recruited by Rindek in the low fifties. That was over a thousand individuals, plus the alpha females who, like herself, had talents to be dealt with.

So likely, fifty-odd supernaturally powered females. In contrast, they had a grand total of seven talented Cryptids. In addition to her, there was Jessie, Kade’s mate. She was apparently an Amp and could augment the powers of others. It also included Sarah and Emily, the Dire twins who were Firethrowers, Zach, the Empath who apparently could kill with his talent, and Ash. Mivra also offered her telepathic ability, although its use in battle was minimal.

Their own Dire recruits would be outnumbered by about two to one.

“They’ll be talking for another hour, at least.” Sirki had come up behind her and gestured to the group locked in discussion. “But I can take you back if you like.”

What coursed through Dani was a confusing combination of disappointment and relief. Her ride in on Tyrez had been both invigorating and disconcerting. She’d remained silent as she climbed aboard and seated herself, but her heart had pounded so hard she was afraid Tyrez would sense it.

She didn’t dare confess to the big Dragon that she could hear every mental discussion he and Ash had with each other. Not always clearly, but clear enough.

She belongs with us.

While she sat on Tyrez’s shoulders, Ash’s comment had been crystal clear. And it had sent her already beleaguered heart into overdrive.

No.

Part of her wanted it to be true. But another part screamed in warning. She had no idea why she could hear Tyrez and Ash, but the last time she’d had someone in her head, he’d used it to control her.

Remy. The alpha had wound the telepathic link around her mind and squeezed until she thought he would crush every iota of independence right out of her. He’d almost done it too.

Neither Ash nor Tyrez seemed the types to ever do something like that, but she couldn’t let herself be that vulnerable ever again.

Just as she’d achieved that helpful resolution, Ash’s voice had once more rung through her mind.

Perhaps she just needs more time.

Dammit.The telepathy had to be only a fluke thing. Something resulting from Tyrez biting her to save her life. Not an indication of anything more.

---