Page 78 of Marked Dragon

Neither of them noticed us as we strolled closer.

“I wish there was internet out here.” Elliott gazed at the stars. “I miss my gamer friends, especially since you’ve become a stick in the mud, and Tyson is in the house, pouting.”

Eva scowled. “First off, I’m not a stick in the mud. I just don’t want to be in a position where I can’t defend myself again. As for Tyson, he wants to train with the dragons, but he’s too weak and stuck with us humans. He isn’t pouting. He’s depressed. He reminds me of Mom those first months after she was diagnosed with cancer.”

My feet stilled as the memory sprang into my mind. She’d been so upset that she’d become suicidal and would’ve tried to end her life if we hadn’t intervened and gotten her some help.

What’s wrong?Thorn connected and scanned the area for a threat.

Tyson.I turned toward him, my vision blurring.I didn’t realize he was struggling that badly.

Thorn winced.Yeah, I didn’t want to worry you, but I get it. When your dragon is injured and you can barely fly, it makes things difficult.

That was why Saphira, Tyson, Brenton, and Errol shifted together at different times from us. Vlad and Cassidy would go out later, after Thorn and I got back, but those four always flew at midday while we were eating lunch, and they weren’t usually gone for long. It had to be because Tyson couldn’t handle a longer flight.

I strode forward, wanting to be part of the conversation. “Do you think he might harm himself?” If there was a chance, we needed to watch him more closely.

Eva yelped, and Elliott’s head snapped around.

His eyes bulged as he pointed. “What thehell? How did you sneak up on us?”

“We didn’t.” Thorn lifted a brow. “Remember, listening at all times is something we’re supposed to be working on.”

“This is why I’m astick in the mud.” Eva lifted a hand. “Because dragon shifters are strong, fast, and quiet.”

“There’s one easy solution.” Elliott waggled his brows and smiled so wide it was creepy. “Our brother-in-law canchangeus.”

My mouth went dry. Thorn and I had talked about offering to change my siblings, but we hadn’t gotten around to it yet. We’d been focused on so many other things, and Thorn hadn’t seemed eager to treat my siblings as guinea pigs.

When neither Thorn nor I responded, Elliott’s jaw damn near touched the ground. “Wait.” My brother jumped to his feet. “Is that an option?”

You can offer it to them,Thorn said as he squeezed my hand comfortingly.If they want to, I can try. It would make things easier if they were strong as dragons.

We stopped across the firepit from them, and I inhaled, searching for the right words. “Thorn has offered totryto change you…ifyou want. He can’t guarantee it, andit’s not a requirement.”

“Fuck yeah.” Elliott lifted a fist.

Eva’s brows furrowed as if she were perplexed.

“Really?” Thorn’s head tilted back. “When you first came to the cabin, you asked if I would change you as if you didn’t want it.”

I’d forgotten about that, and Elliott’s quick yes now made me uneasy.

Elliott bobbed his head. “Well, yeah. At first, I was like, uh…no. But now that I’ve had time to acclimate…I’ve decided it’d be badass. So, fuck yeah, I’m down. Where the hell do I sign?”

I wasn’t expecting that level of enthusiasm,Thorn connected, apprehension swirling through our connection.

Same. He hadn’t taken the time to think it through. He was just gung ho. “What about you, Eva?” I wanted to see how she reacted.

“The thought has merit, but it’s a huge change.” She rubbed her arms. “Even though you’re growing more comfortable with yourself, that only happened recently. I… I need to think about it.”

Nowthatwas rational. “How about you both think it through? It’s not like the offer is now or never. It doesn’t expire. Besides, Thorn isn’t even sure he can do it. This would be a whole life change. You’d have another being inside you that was never there before, and you’d see and hear things that don’t make sense. It’s not an easy transition, so at least, take a night to decide.”

Elliott pouted and rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll take the night, but my answer will still be yes tomorrow.”

He reminded me so much of a young child.

“I’ll try, then.” Thorn mashed his lips together, trying not to smile.

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