Page 129 of Brushed By Moonlight

For the better,a little voice assured me.

“Get going, Bene,” Roux ordered.

I looked over just in time to see a tawny body slink into the bushes. Roux helped Delphine into the vehicle, then called to me softly.

“Mina…”

I took one last, longing look up, then slipped into the back seat.

Roux drove, with a very quiet Delphine in the front passenger seat. I sat pressed against the window, scouring the sky for a glimpse of Marius.

We bumped down a rocky track, then turned onto the main road, craning our necks to take in the fire. Flashing lights appeared in the oncoming lane, and emergency service vehicles rushed past us.

Forty minutes later, we were back at thefinca. Bene appeared a good hour later, and Marius…

“He’ll be here soon,” Roux assured me.

“Uh-huh,” I mumbled, keeping my face turned skyward.

An eternity later, the wind gusted, and a shadow loomed over us. I scurried back as it rushed closer…closer…

My hair blew across my face, and trees rustled as Marius swept in to a landing.

“Tell him ten minutes until our debriefing,” Roux called to me.

“Debriefing at ten in the morning? Perfect.” Bene sauntered off toward his cottage.

“No, I said…” Roux started, but his words faded to a frustrated growl.

“Nine in the morning,” I suggested.

His tiger eyes blazed, but he finally relented — sort of. “Eight.”

I nodded, already jogging out to meet Marius at the end of the road. Then I stopped, suddenly cautious. Maybe one didn’t rush right up to a dragon. Maybe they needed a few minutes to transition out of deadly beast mode. Maybe—

Two huge eyes glowed at me through the darkness, a good five feet above my eye level. Smaller points of light blazed below them — the last vestiges of fire flickering in his nostrils. A long, thick tail lashed menacingly.

My heart stopped. Uh-oh.

He folded his wings in a surprisingly delicate motion and shuffled forward, lowering his head.

My knees wobbled.

“Good to see you,” I squeaked.

The fire in his eyes flared, then dimmed, going fromred alerttowarm and welcoming.

Good to see you too,his voice rumbled in my mind.

I raised my hands, trying not to shake as he eased his muzzle forward. Rough, leathery hide came to rest over my palms, and his eyes swirled at me.

Wow. I was face-to-face with a dragon. Cupping his snout, even, or as much of it as fit.

Snout?he grumbled.

I gulped and felt around gently. “Um, nose?”

I’ll give you a nose,he muttered, transforming in front of me.