Page 160 of Ash

Razir regarded it with wide eyes.

“I have a friend,” the Satyr said, “who creates prosthetics that run on crystal energy. This is just a prototype. If Taran is interested, my friend can design a custom one for him.”

Razir’s brows drew down. “Don’t suppose he can create a wing, too?”

Jacques shook his head. “None that I would trust more than ten feet above the ground. The dynamics of flight are beyond mechanics such as this, I am afraid. But it could replace his missing arm with a fair amount of dexterity. And some can be built to hide weapons within them.”

Razir’s eyes lit up. “Ah. That might interest him.”

Jacques smiled and rewrapped the arm before handing it to Razir. “I thought it might.”

“Thank you, Jacques,” Tyrez said. “He might not receive it well at first. But I am sure he will appreciate it once he’s thought it through.”

Razir tucked the arm beneath his own as he and Jacques headed off down the path.

Tyrez regarded Cara. “Things are about to get very interesting, indeed,” he said.

The Watcher sighed and shook her head. “Around you, my friend, things are always interesting.”

* * *

After seeing so many of them, Dani decided Gryphons had beautiful eyes.

She’d met many in her wanderings along the tunnels in their mountain home. At first glance, the creatures looked quite fierce with their hooked beaks, eagle heads, and crests of erect feathers. But the eyes revealed the gentle souls within—they were huge, a warm topaz color fringed with thick eyelashes.

So different from the Dragons. Even as humans, the Dragon shifters had a predatory aura to them. If they walked down the street, humans instinctively moved away.

Aphostra tilted her head in a uniquely birdlike gesture as she regarded Dani. “You have told me much about your youth and life on the streets. But you have said little about your capture by Rindek and what happened afterward.”

That was true. The Gryphon couldn’t know how unusual it was for Dani to talk about herself at all. Speaking to Aphostra of her more distant past had flowed easily. Perhaps it was because she would much rather talk of it than her recent history.

As Dani spun her life out for the Gryphon, Aphostra hummed. Very low and soft, but it wound around Dani and soothed away the pain, anger, and fear.

“Talking about your time with Rindek would help,” the Gryphon urged.

Dani wasn’t sure she agreed. “No. No, it wouldn’t. I need to put it behind me, not drag it all out again.”

Aphostra ruffled her feathers. “In my experience, burying trauma only ensures it pops up again, and usually at inopportune times.”

The words gave Dani pause. Could talking about it stop the anxiety attacks?

Her hesitation was noticed. “Has it already caused issues?” the Gryphon asked.

Dani shrugged. “Not sure.”

“Well, there is no rush. Remember that whatever you tell me will be held in the strictest confidence.”

“I’ll think about it,” Dani promised.

The Gryphon sighed. “Very well. I must return to help Bess with Ash. If you need me, I am always available.”

“Thank you, Aphostra.”

The Gryphon left, and Dani meandered through the tunnels until she got to the ground-level exit.

The grasslands stretched invitingly before her. Dani took a deep breath and folded her clothes before laying them in the tall grass. She caught herself scanning for a certain turquoise form in the sky.

The Dragon had gone to a meeting with the council. She’d wanted to go, too, but he’d suggested she should remain behind. He’d said her participation in the battle in the forest might be misconstrued by council members.

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