Page 49 of The Mating Quest

Skylar tittered and then compressed herlips.

“You are a creature of darkness,” Alex snapped. “We all saw what youdid.”

She heard Ethan suck in his breath and then growl low, as he had previously when sensing athreat.

A shrug. “Your ‘Pops” tipped me off his back. I saved myself. What else was there toit?”

Alex and Sebastian looked at Ethan, who shook his head. “I wasn’tlooking.”

“None of us were,” Chloesaid.

“We can see your aura, Ilana Simmons.” This from Michael, the black dragon bodyguard. “It is notnormal.”

“With all of you looking at me as if you want to fry me for dinner, why should it be normal?” shesnapped.

Silence.

Ilana squared her shoulders. “Okay, I get it. Maybe I should leave Chloe here with your scaly hides, and I’ll return to whatever quarters assigned to me and wait itout.”

“Scaly hides?” another dragonrumbled.

All of them had shifted into Skin, but no less menacing. Finally Alex gave a slight nod. “No. Drust brought you here. If it is your destiny to die here, so be it, but you will aid Chloe in finding the scaleinside.”

Ethan stepped up, regarding all of them. “The scale’s inside? Let’sgo.”

Alex put a hand on Ethan’s chest, and was rewarded with a flash of gold eyes and a low growl. The dragon backedup.

“It isn’t as simple as that. We have known about the existence of this scale for centuries and have guarded it. In case we were unable, we set traps inside. Only the brave, and the worthy, may navigate them. There are tests you mustpass.”

“Not any traps. Deadly spiders with fangs that drip poison lethal enough to kill a Skin, snakes, pits, many dangers,” Skylaradded.

Chloe sighed. “Terrific. Indiana Jones, here wecome.”

Ilana suppressed a shiver. Caves made her squeamish and claustrophobic. Traps? Maybe she should stay away. Then she looked at Chloe, trying to put on a brave face and Ethan, who loved his sister. Loved his family as much as these dragons lovedtheirs.

I’m moreexpendable.

Did Danu send her on this quest because she couldn’t die and therefore, would risk more?Yeah, maybe I can’t die, but damn I have no desire to hurt more than the next person. Poisonous snakes and spiders sound pretty damnpainful.

Ethan looked at the yawning mouth of the cave. “What’s the firsttest?”

Sebastian, Skylar and Alex all exchanged glances. “Not here,” Alex said softly. “First, let us escort you to your sleeping quarters and then we may talk inprivate.

An hour later,Ethan realized the source of the three dragons’ reticence. They were bunking in a luxurious condominium on the banks of a crystal clear river, with the mountains as a scenic backdrop. The townhouse hummed with power. It belonged to Ella, a gift from Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, who owned the entire complex and rented, at very low or no cost, toOthers.

Others with little income, or magick. The condo had wood-paneled walls and a living room with a gas fireplace and leather furniture, big and masculine. The surroundings had homey touches he liked, such as the whimsical painting of a fairy with blue wings and roses in her hair. Though the furniture was masculine, the air in the condo smelled light and delicious, like crisp snowfall on a snapping cold night, wildflowers, and the most fragrant perfume of clear, mountainair.

Ilana looked extremely uncomfortable as they settled into the living room with the three dragons. Why, he didn’t know, for the magick protecting the condo was strong and felt the reverberating hum of the Crystal Wizard’s power as well within the walls. Ilana chose a space near the door leading to a deck outside with a magnificent river view. He and Chloe and Dakota chose chairs facing the dragons on the leathersofa.

Alex sat ruler straight, his manner tense. “We need to inform you of something you may not know, a hiddendanger.”

Ethan’s Lupine senses pricked. “Whatkind?”

“We dragons are known to fight for power within our clans. The clans themselves finally have peace…” Skylarsighed.

“Thanks to Drust banging their thick skulls together,” Alex putin.

“But there are rogues who may try to grab more power for themselves.” Sebastian leaned back, stretching an arm across the sofa’sback.