Page 7 of Daman

My chin quivered. “I should kill you right where you stand.”

His emotionless gaze matched the tone of his voice. “Take that fire inside you and put it into your training. You need to learn how to fly. How to fight. You’ll need strength if you’re ever to become powerful enough to defeat the Morningstar.”

“I want to go home.”

“Youarehome. There is nothing left for you in Dacia. Not your hovel in the woods or your ill friend. Everything is gone. Accept this as truth, and do as you’re told.”

I had no choice but to obey.

Bitterness rooted inside my chest that day. Inside my heart. It was a misery from which I couldn’t escape.

Chapter One

Daman

Present Day

Pies baked in the oven, a turkey cooked in the slow cooker, and laughter filled the mansion. Thanksgiving was Raiden’s favorite holiday, and he always made a big deal about it, insisting we ate as a family and spent time together.

This year was different. Our family had grown over the past several months. Simon, Kyo, and Clara joined us. A human, a dragon, and a witch.

As the food cooked, we played a stupid board game called Pictionary. There were ten of us, so we divided up into two groups of five. One member of the team drew a card and had to draw whatever it said. The other members of their team then had to guess what it was before time ran out.

“A bicycle,” Castor said right as Bellamy placed the tip of his pencil on the paper.

“Hey!” Raiden pointed at them. “No cheating.”

Bellamy put a hand to his chest. “Me? Cheat? Never.”

“You told him telepathically what you were drawing,” Raiden said. “You should be ashamed.”

Simon laughed and leaned against Galen’s side. “Maybe we should play a different game. I don’t trust any of you now.”

“Me either.” Clara grabbed a chip from the huge bowl in front of Raiden and dunked it in cheese dip.

“Yeah?” Castor crossed his arms. “Well, maybe I don’t trust you either, missy. You could cheat by putting a spell on us or something.”

She scoffed. “I wouldn’t waste perfectly good magic on you.”

Kyo chuckled and bumped Castor’s shoulder. My brother nudged him right back. The newlyweds awoke my Envy, leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. Their happiness—their love—made me jealous.

I tore my gaze from them and walked over to the patio doors. Rays of sunlight broke through parts of the overcast sky, and leaves fell from the trees as the wind blew. Soon, the branches would be bare, and winter would be upon us.

Winter. Ice. A wedding with a dragon. All things I had to look forward to.

Yay me.

“I should probably start the green bean casserole.” Clara rose from her chair. “Just have to mix it together and pop it in the oven. The turkey should be done by then.”

“I don’t like green beans,” Gray said, his head on Simon’s arm. He’d probably need a nap soon.

“Don’t be rude,” Alastair told him. “If you don’t like it, don’t eat it, but there’s no need to hurt Clara’s feelings.”

Gray went over and hugged Clara. “I’m sorry. I love you. Don’t be sad.”

She patted his head. “It’s okay. I love you too, precious boy.”

Gray yawned. “I’m gonna lie down for a few. Wake me up when the food’s done.”