Page 11 of Dragon's Flame
“I showered and shaved,” Tarian answered, honestly.
Her expression twisted with disbelief. “What the—who let you in?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He stepped closer, setting himself between her and the rest of the room. The lights here were even dimmer, casting shadows over her, and she was wearing a black dress. It reminded him of the last time he’d seen her form—when the false version of her had been wrapped in a burial shroud.
“Seris,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “It is Tarian. You know me.” He searched her face, willing her to remember, pouring his heart into every word. “I’ve been waiting?—”
“To ruin this for me?” she snapped, cutting him off. She stepped to the side, fast and sharp, taking the arm of the man he’d shoved.
The human stepped in front of her protectively.
“Who is this guy?” the man asked, his voice edged with anger.
“I have no fucking idea!” Seris said, and Tarian heard the truth in her voice.
The words hit him like a blow. His muscles tensed, his breath coming hard. Around him, several men made fists and crouched, ready for a fight. A girl screamed, another ran for the door, and Rocky barked furiously at his feet.
It was like being trapped in the Below all over again.
The entire world could be open to him, but it meant nothing if he was forced to live in it without her.
“Twice now, Mister!” The blonde, Sarah, shoved her way toward him, her phone in hand, shaking it like a weapon. “You need to go, or we’re calling the cops.”
“That’s who shot you earlier!” Rocky chimed in helpfully. “The cops!”
Tarian inhaled deeply, forcing his rage back down. He didn’t want projectile weapons fired anywhere near Seris, especially if these “cops” had poor aim.
But what could he do?
He couldn’t keep chasing her if she didn’t want him.
And if she didn’t want him—what else was there?
Tarian straightened, his shoulders squaring, and met her gaze. Searching her eyes, he spoke the only truth he had left.
“I cannot live without you, Seris. Please. Save me.”
Confusion flashed across her face—a brief reflection of the agony on his own. For a heartbeat, he thought she might say something, anything, that would anchor him in her world.
And then her friend was shouting, “I’m calling, I’m calling!” Rocky was nipping at his heels, trying to herd him toward the door, and the human man stepped in front of her completely, blocking Seris from his view.
He knew he was almost indestructible but somehow he still felt destroyed.
He turned and stalked out of the small dwelling, his fists clenched at his sides. Behind him, the crowd murmured and speculated, their words cutting into him as the door slammed shut.
It felt as strong as any Gate.
Outside, Rocky reared up on his hind legs, resting his forepaws on the railing Tarian was gripping with white-knuckled hands.
“That’s not how you thought things were going to go, huh?”
“No,” Tarian said, his voice hollow, his gaze fixed on the stars above.
Rocky tilted his head, his small frame vibrating with nervous energy. “Hey,” he said, his voice softer now. “You gonna be okay, big guy?”
Tarian didn’t answer.
He didn’t know.
