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They both saw dragon-scaled markings covering her arm, most of one leg, and to the knee of the other. Scales!

She has scales, Aodh . Liekki appeared exacerbated, he paced a short path behind the other side of the bed.

She does , Aodh confirmed in an absent tone as he leaned close to Avalore’s arm to stare intently, investigating each scale.

Liekki growled. The sound was so strong and heavy that Kai felt the vibrations through the mental path.

Aodh cut his brother a sharp look.

Liekki took a small step back and exhaled. Twin plumes of white smoke emerged from his nostrils—physically calming himself before his Mckenna.

They started on her back, smoking as if it was being seared into her skin from the inside. I expected the ones on her stomach, but...not this.

The ones on her belly? As in more than one? Aodh adjusted his body and resumed his full height again.

Kai thought about what Aodh told her yesterday about the Vampire Prince’s mate carrying three babies because of her government’s scientists playing God and mixing the women’s blood with rabbit DNA.

Kai had never been more relieved that she’d gotten her sister out of the district than when she heard the information from the meeting.

Even though Morlie had been deathly ill, there was probably little chance that she would have ended up in the lab.

But there could have been a situation where Morlie volunteered for the money or even herself if she hadn’t been dealing with ill parents and a sister.

Yes. Two scales appeared on her lower belly, confirming that the claim was thoroughly successful.

But shortly after, Avalore began wincing in pain and talking about her back and thighs stinging.

I showed them to her, but they kept showing up in batches to the point that Avalore began crying out and shaking, and for a moment, she blacked out from the intense pain .

Liekki’s scales radiated a blood-orange hue, proof that he was both agitated and worried.

So, you brought her here. Aodh bracketed his chin with the fingers of one hand, appearing deep in thought.

I had no fucking clue what else to do. When she wouldn’t respond, I wrapped her in a sheet and rushed here. I figured in the chamber, I could get her to a level that would help her heal and rest faster than if I kept her at my place. Maybe I should have taken her to Apophis.

Perhaps. But I can have the spiritual leader come here if it is needed.

What’s causing it? Liekki leaned his back against the wall close to the head of the bed.

Did Avalore tell you anything about her family history? Maybe one of her parents was Drahk? This appears to be a direct line marking.

Liekki shrugged. My dragon can hear her dragon, Aodh.

Aodh arched a brow and stared at his brother.

Her dragon . Kai kept that thought to herself as she pondered the situation. Avalore not only developed markings all over her body like a Drahk, but also had a developing beast inside her, not just little ones.

Kai was trying to sort out her feelings about all of it.

Why are you all discussing me instead of asking me? Avalore rolled to her back as she opened her eyes.

Kai gasped.

Then Kai realized that since Avalore was Liekki’s mate, she could communicate with him mentally. As a claimed mate and family member, and apparently a Drahk, Avalore could also converse with the Mckenna. So, the other woman was a party to the entire conversation.

Neither Aodh nor Liekki looked shocked but rather curious because Avalore was awake while so much healing smog saturated the chamber. Most humans would remain in an induced sleep state until it all dissipated, but Avalore was responding differently.

What do you want to know, Mckenna?

Avalore's use of Aodh’s title was also a telltale sign that, deep within, she recognized the hierarchy to which she was now subjected.

What do you know about your family?

Avalore wrapped the sheet tightly around her middle and then sat up in bed, revealing that both her arms, from shoulder to wrist, were etched with markings.

She answered Aodh, Nothing I can think of out of the ordinary.

My parents were packed in the district slums like everyone else; that’s where they raised my sister and me.

I don’t know any of the other family, and neither parent discussed much about their pasts.

My father is black, and my mother was Dominican before she passed.

That seemed to pique Aodh’s interest. He set his hands on his hips. Do you know what part of the old Dominican Republic?

Kai knew Aodh spoke of the country in the past tense because, like most of the world, it was underwater and no longer existed.

Avalore sat for a moment looking off in the distance, as if trying to remember, then glanced at Aodh again before saying, A mountainous area... the Bahoruco region.

Liekki straightened up from the wall. Are you sure?

Aodh shot his brother a lopsided grin. If your mate is genetically from the same area where your hearthstone was mined, the same place I recall reading about where a small Thunder of Drahks resided for some time within that volcanic rock area when our kind scattered from Scotland after the war with England, your connection makes sense.

What are you saying, Mckenna? Avalore folded her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side as she eyed Aodh.

You may be a second or third-generation Drahk at the least.

My mother wasn’t a shifter. She didn’t have markings. I would have seen them. Not to mention, she caught XD87867 and died. No shifter immunity there.

Aodh shrugged. One of her parents was , he declared.

For your dragon to link with Liekki’s and come forth, I’m damn sure they shifted but kept their ability a secret to remain under the radar. Shifters do it all the time . Aodh continued, if your mother had not married a human and found her true mate, her dragon would have also emerged .

Avalore's face lit with awe.

There wasn’t any illumination to the other woman’s markings, but Kai knew it would probably be a matter of time.

Kai felt green. She was more than happy with her life and how it turned out. She was the Mckenna’s mate, bringing into the world the next leader of the Thunder, but she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t feel bereft that Avalore would change and shift, truly becoming one with her mate, Liekki.

Why would the Great Spirit bestow such a wonderful gift on Avalore yet leave her with nothing?

Not just nothing, but the things she did have, like the connection to all the dragons, which allowed her to sense and speak with them, and her extra-human strength, would vanish once she delivered the babe.

Kai’s body tensed, and she didn’t realize how strongly she was responding to her thoughts physically until she felt the discomfort of her miniature guest. The babe inside her reacted, shifting and moving, and kicking a tiny foot into her side as if attempting to fight against the constraints of her emotions.

She gasped and stroked her stomach in the spot the baby pushed, trying to assure the little one that she was fine.

Always attuned to her, Aodh's head snapped in her direction, his brow furrowed, and his body shifted slightly, ready to come to her aid.

Mate-wife? Aodh communicated directly to her, not along the path where the others could hear his concern for her.

She forced a smile and made an even grander production of rubbing her stomach in a broader arc. I’m fine. It’s just the babe.

It wasn’t a total fabrication.

He gave a slight nod but held her gaze for a moment longer before focusing again on Avalore.

Not wanting Aodh to see how she was affected, she shoved her emotions into a dark space inside herself, so that she could think about it later when she was alone.

As she turned and walked to the chair to sit down, she hoped the others would think it was the baby and that she just needed to get off her feet.

Kai told herself that she’d always been good at accepting things as they came, and this wouldn’t be any different. She’d get over it.

A part of her called herself a liar.

One thing she knew she must do was keep her feelings locked away from Aodh. Because they were so connected, it would be easy for her to slip, and he’d feel the impression of her disturbing emotions.

She hated hiding things from him. However, she didn't want to burden him with them until she was sure how to deal with her feelings correctly. He had enough on his plate.

So, how long do I need to stay in this smog-filled room? Avalore asked.

You need to remain calm and comfortable until the remainder of your markings come in. Since it is happening so fast, I’m sure you’ll be out by the end of the day, if not tomorrow morning.

Avalore sighed. Okay, but Liekki knows, I don’t like being locked up.

Liekki moved to her side and took hold of her hand. A wicked smile curled, spreading his mouth as his eyes darkened. I think we can find some things to do to keep you entertained .

From across the room, Kai could see the darkly nefarious smile Liekki aimed at Avalore.

I’ll leave you in your mate’s hands. I’m going to feed my mate-wife before I head to the office.

Aodh glanced over to his brother . Liekki, the meetings will hold until Avalore is better, but when you come, bring Avalore.

Not only will the leaders like to see her transform for themselves, but she’ll also be a great asset as we plan our strategies in the coming weeks.

Will do.

Thank you, Mckenna. Avalore called out.

No thanks needed. You’re a Drahk now, Avalore. We always look out for each other. Aodh turned and left the chamber.

In the room, Kai saw Liekki climb back into the bed beside his mate and gather her into his arms, right before he inhaled deeply and then exhaled a thick, dark stream of healing smog into the chamber.

The smoke blended with the other residual smoke and filled the room, obscuring the couple from view.