Page 50 of Balance

Outside of that, while Miles might not bedead, he might still be in mortal peril. What if he was bleeding out in a river while the water turned crimson with his life’s essence? The forest was vast, and swift and virulent waters had to cut through these lands. He might have been thrown off a cliff, broken his leg, and washed downstream, and now pitifully waited for rescue.

“What’s the Snallygaster?” Bryce asked, apparently reaching a breaking point.

I stiffened, glancing at Brayden, but he only smirked.

“How can you not know about the Snallygaster?” he asked, squeezing me closer to him. “Look at this, Bianca. What kind of idiot doesn’t research the local legends?”

“This is supposed to be a safe trip, to find Miles and get out.” Bryce’s brows furrowed, as he glanced between us. “What exactly are you talking about? And don’t call me an idiot.”

Brayden sighed, shoulders slumping under the weight of his disappointment. “See what I have to put up with?”

It was Finn who came to Bryce’s rescue. “It’s a local legend,” he explained, crossing his arms. “But it’s not important. There’s no dragon here. You’re all being ridiculous.”

Titus nodded.

“It’s just a superstition.” Damen strode over, olive bag tied to his back, and an air of confidence in his frame. Julian followed, brushing at his clothes. They’d mostly split the gear between the two of them, and Damen dropped the rest at Titus’s feet. “But it doesn’t mean anything. It’s probably a bobcat, or something else equally harmless. Don’t get all dramatic, Bryce. It’s fine.”

A harmlessbobcat… How lovely, no reason to be concerned.

Not.

Poor Miles, alone in the wilderness with a bobcat. Though, really, it was much better than the alternative.

“It’s not a bobcat, it’s adragon!” Troy—who’d had all but been forgotten—interrupted. His face was flush with indignation, and he pointed a shaking finger in Damen’s direction. “Don’t you think I know a dragon when I smell one?”

“No,” Damen answered instantly, raising his eyebrow as his gaze travelled over the ranger. “Besides, I think we’ll be alright. Titus, are you scared of the dragon?”

Titus scoffed, his attention returning to the horizon.

“I guess you have our answer.” Damen lopsidedly grinned. His gaze lingered on Troy’s still outstretched finger, and his eyes flashed. “We’ll take it from here.”

Troy made a frustrated sound, throwing his hands into the air. “You do what you want. I’m going back to the truck! When you”—he pointed at Finn, Bryce, and Brayden—“are done saying goodbye, we’ll head back down.”

Then he spun on his heel and stomped back to the vehicle.

“Normally, I don’t appreciate your theatrics,” Julian said, tilting his head as he watched the ranger’s retreat. “But this was well-deserved.”

“He’s been getting on my nerves awhile.” Damen pursed his lips and put on his leather gloves. “And I don’t wantherto be the last thing he remembers.”

“Why?” I asked. “You said he didn’t know who you were.”

In a way, it was kind of sad. Didn’t that make him almost… like me?

Damen and Julian froze, their attention turning to me. A long moment passed before they answered.

“No reason,” Damen said.

Julian turned his face upward, expression tired, as a thread of resignation tickled the bond between us.

I looked to Brayden, who still stood at my side. “What are they talking about?” I asked, so low only he—and possibly Titus, who didn’t seem to care anyway, as he was still sniffing the air like some kind of beast—could hear.

“He was checking you out, little sister. Titus’s warning didn’t sway him all that much.” This time, Brayden’s grin didn’t reach his eyes. A dark curl fell over his forehead as he reached forward, touching his pointer finger to my nose. “But anyway, remember what we told you,” he added, gaze flicking toward Damen.

For an instant, his meaning was lost to me, but then my resolution, which had all been but forgotten during Troy’s appearance, came rushing back.

Yes, Damen would have to learn not to underestimate me.

“Okay,” I said, holding my fists to my chest, nodding. “I’ll think of something.”