Page 29

T he nurse’s office is currently empty except for me and the rhythmic ticking of the old wall clock and the gentle hum of the window fan.

Principal Jefferson was quite cordial when I explained I was going to need a substitute nurse to fill in for me, as I’d been called home to serve as a witness in a criminal trial.

She even wished me well, and I’ve spent all morning organizing the student medication files and stacking them neatly in a locked cabinet for my replacement.

It’s a small thing, but I feel accomplished. Being a school nurse was never my goal, but it wasn’t all bad.

At any rate, I feel like I’m moving in the right direction now.

Like I’m closing a door on one part of my life and maybe getting ready to open another.

I still don’t know what the future holds for me in terms of my career. If I even want to be a doctor anymore. It’s something to think about and to talk with Zeke about.

The idea of having someone to share my thoughts with. To confess my doubts and insecurities to, and also my hopes and dreams.

It’s more than I ever saw for myself and I am so grateful to have him in my life.

A lot of men might be threatened by a smart, career-oriented woman. But not Zeke. Something tells me that Dragon would only ever support any decision I make.

And isn’t that amazing?

He has all this innate power, and instead of using it to bully or cower me, he uses it to lift me up.

And he called himself a monster. Ha! Zeke isn’t a monster. Far from it.

He’s—well, he’s everything I ever wanted in a partner, in a mate.

I am so in love with that man, I can hardly believe it.

Checking the clock on the wall, I sigh as I realize three more hours till he comes to pick me up for the day.

A soft knock taps at the door before the admin assistant peeks in with an apologetic smile.

“Hey, Casey. So sorry to bother you, but Mrs. Fuller had to leave early for a dentist emergency. Think you could cover fourth grade recess duty just this last time? The kids are already out there, and I’m running short. ”

“Sure,” I say, standing and stretching. “Honestly, I could use some fresh air.”

She beams. “You’re a lifesaver. Just grab a safety vest and whistle from the bin by the side door.”

Two minutes later, I’m stepping out onto the back playground, the sun warm on my shoulders, birds chirping in the trees.

The students are scattered across the yard, their voices carrying on the breeze. It’s almost peaceful.

The fourth graders are fully immersed in a chaotic game of soccer, and I smile as I slip on the bright orange vest and wander over to the edge of the field to play side ref.

This.

This right here is why I didn’t want to leave without notice. These kids matter.

“Watch the ball, Amber!” one of the girls yells, just as it smacks into her shin.

She lets out a howl, but it’s laughter, not pain.

I laugh too. The simple joy of it settles over me, like a warm hug.

And then, someone screams.

It’s shrill. Panicked.

Not the kind that ends in giggles.

I pivot sharply, adrenaline spiking as I scan the field.

One of the boys, Jake, is pointing past the soccer goal. “Ms. Casey! There’s a man! He’s in the woods!”

I take off toward the edge of the field, my heart hammering as the kids cluster behind me.

“Everyone, head back inside right now! Get the principal,” I call out, my voice steady even as ice coils in my gut.

The back of the yard dips into a narrow tree line that borders the old trail—technically outside the school perimeter, but close enough to be seen.

And sure enough, someone’s there.

A tall figure emerges from the shadows of the trees like a nightmare conjured from the darkest, most twisted corners of my mind.

Michael.

And he’s not alone.

He’s gripping Teresa by the neck.

Little Teresa, one of the sweetest girls in the fourth grade. Her brown eyes are wide with panic, her tiny chest heaving too fast.

She has asthma— a bad case made worse by the blossoming flowers and trees —and she’s already wheezing.

No. No, no, no!

My pulse explodes, fury and fear rocketing through me in equal measure.

Michael’s wearing a crisp black jacket like he’s dressed for brunch, not an ambush. Sunglasses hide his eyes, but I don’t need to see them.

I know what lives behind that smile—the one that never reached his eyes even when we were together.

That smirk used to charm nurses and bartenders. Now it just makes bile rise in my throat.

“Hello, Case,” he drawls, like he didn’t ruin my life.

Like we’re bumping into each other at a grocery store and not standing on a playground with a child in danger.

My mouth goes dry.

“What the hell are you doing here? Let her go!”

He chuckles low in his throat.

“Changed your number. Left town. You made yourself real hard to find. But me and the little princess are getting along fine. Ain’t we, doll?”

Teresa whimpers. Her lips are turning pale.

“You bastard.” My voice cracks. “Let. Her. Go. This is school property. You need to leave. Right now.”

I cast a quick look behind me. Some of the kids are still huddled near the field, eyes huge. One of them’s blowing a whistle over and over.

Help. Someone’s calling for help.

But it won’t come fast enough.

Michael takes another step forward, pulling Teresa with him like she’s a shield.

“I’ll let her go. In exchange for you.”

His tone turns syrupy-sweet, threatening.

“We need to talk. But you’ve been playing house with your pet cowboy, so I figured I’d pay a little visit.”

I grit my teeth. I don’t want anything to do with this man. But if it is between me and an innocent child, then I’ll go. There is no other choice.

“Okay. Let her go. And I’ll come with you. Just—don’t talk about him.”

Michael’s smile turns feral.

“Still got that spark,” he murmurs. “Too bad you used it to burn down everything I gave you.”

“You didn’t give me anything but fear. You’re a parasite. A coward.”

The smile vanishes.

And then he shoves Teresa to the ground.

“Teresa! GO! NOW!” I scream.

The little girl scrambles to her feet and takes off running, gasping for air. Relief floods me, but it’s short-lived.

Michael lunges and grabs me by the vest, his fist smashing into my face with a sickening crack.

Stars explode behind my eyes.

“You bitch,” he snarls, yanking me forward by the hair. “Thought you could run to the cops? Hide in some hick town like I wouldn’t find you?”

I taste blood. My knees buckle.

“What did you expect?” I gasp, dizzy. “A thank-you card?”

“I expected obedience,” he hisses in my ear. “You’re mine, Casey. You don’t leave me.”

I claw at his face, kicking wildly, but he’s stronger than I remember. Like I’m driven by rage and fire fiercer than whatever hellhole he’s crawled out of.

The kids are screaming.

There’s a flurry of motion in the distance.

A whistle, again. A woman shouting.

The kids are safe, and I’m temporarily relieved.

Then—the Dragon’s Rose on my chest explodes with heat.

It burns. Not like fire, but like a beacon.

Like my soul crying out.

I know what this means.

Zeke feels it.

He has to feel it.

Somewhere, he feels me.

My pain. My fear.

And he’s coming. I know it as surely as I know my own name.

“What the fuck?” Michael hisses, looking down at the glowing mark over my heart visible now, since he’s tugged my clothing all askew.

Before I can answer, he slaps me again, harder. My head snaps back, the world tilting.

Then he throws me over his shoulder like a sack of laundry, grunting as he carries me into the woods.

“Fucking fat bitch,” he snarls as he stalks toward a black sedan half-hidden beneath the trees. “Should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”

He tosses me into the back seat and my head bounces off something hard.

Stars explode behind my eyes, and I wonder how many knocks it’s going to take before I’m concussed.

I try to scramble, to kick, but he’s already tearing duct tape from a roll and binding my hands and feet.

One final slap across my mouth with a strip to keep me quiet.

“Duck your head,” he growls, slamming the door. “Stay down, or the next thing you’ll get is a fucking bullet.”

I nod. Not only because I believe him, but because I don’t have a choice.

And as the engine roars to life, and he peels off down the dirt trail, I close my eyes and think of Zeke.

Of the feel of his lips on my skin.

How good it feels when his arms wrap around me.

The way he says, “I’ve got you, Petals. Always.”

Because Michael thinks he’s unstoppable.

But he has no idea what’s coming.

He has no idea what it means to steal a Dragon’s mate.

And I know with everything inside me that Zeke is coming for me.

Because he said he always will. And I know— I know —he’ll burn the world down to bring me home.