Page 39 of Phoenix Burn

“Now I’m stonkered,” she said. “Time for nap.”

I laughed. To my disgust, she was snoring approximately five minutes after her bulk stretched out on her groaning bed, while I lay and stared at the ceiling as my head buzzed with thoughts. My hand drifted through Trix’s fur, but I was afraid to touch her skin.

Was this what the future held in store for me? To never be able to touch someone, lest I drain every bit of life from them?

But my touch could heal, too, I reminded myself.

Cara had said she knew things about my power. And Sebastian had hinted at it, too. But neither seemed inclined to be open about it.

Was it scary, even for them? I didn’t think Cara was the type to scare easily. She hadn’t seemed afraid of that big guy we’d seen tonight at the gate—his energy had really unnerved me.

But what did I know of energy? I’d only just started to notice—it was all still very new to me. I thought of Matt and his struggle with the beast. I could learn things from him.

Like how to control a power that hid deep inside? I could only hope.

I closed my eyes and attempted to relax into sleep. Tried counting backward...

I was in the forest.

I took a deep breath—to leave the real world behind, for even a dream-span of time, was such a relief. Here, I could screw Dires and ride Dragons. Or the reverse. Or both. Without risking anything at all.

I stood on a game trail, the branches brushing against me from each side. I began to walk, picking my way over roots and rock.

Was I alone, out here in the woods? That would be disappointing.

Because I didn’t want to be alone.

Memory of Matt, and the exposed, damp skin of his throat and chest, fired my imagination. This was my dream. Here, in my imagination, he was safe from my power.

And I wanted him.

I cupped a hand around my mouth, tilted my head back, and howled.

I hadn’t expected it to be anything more than my best impression of a wolf, but somehow, it morphed midway through. Every emotion, every bit of my fear and torment that I’d buried deep, erupted from me, altering it into something powerful.

A moment of silence followed. And then, an answer. The howl was deep, filled with both desire and frustration.

Matt. I knew it was him. It had to be. What other Dire would I dream about? Instead of heading for the sound, I continued on my way. Confident that my siren’s call would be irresistible.

And it was.

I heard him coming from behind. He wasn’t concerned with stealth, moving with single-minded purpose through the forest, shoving aside branches with snaps, crackles, and tearing of foliage.

I began to run. Faster and faster, until my feet flew along the trail.

Harsh panting rasped on the trail behind me. Not from exertion—his energy infused me, and it was filled with the swirling, musky undertones of desire.

I ran faster. My real body couldn’t hope to outrun a Dire, but here, in my dream, I was as swift as him. Staying just a few strides ahead, laughing over my shoulder at him.

Then I caught a glimpse of his eyes, glowing green fire in the darkness, and a thrill coursed through me. It wasn’t Matt that chased me.

It was his beast.

I remembered what he’d told me. That Dires chase their females before they mate.

But this was my dream. And in it, I wanted to run. Just who would actually catch me remained to be seen. The man. Or the beast...

The path angled up, and the moment I imagined the plateau, it appeared. I skidded to a halt beneath the moon and the stars, and spun to face him.

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