The Secrets Of Dragons: Book One

Chapter 29

Jaylyn Sloan

The sound of buzzing before the sound of birds in the morning caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at attention. A burning sensation filled my chest, and my breathing became erratic. This, all before I could fully wake up. The buzzing came from my drawer, and as I rolled away from Ryker's still sleeping form, I stopped and stared at the little nightstand. Black had been quiet for far too long. Not even bothering to respond to my daily check ins. Now, suddenly, he wanted something. That could be taken as good or bad, but something told me this would not be one of those rare moments that he spared for the good.

I rubbed away the sleep from my eyes and tried my best to sit up fully without rustling the bed too much in fear of Ryker waking and asking more of his damned questions. Karaoke had worn us out, entertaining Elsie for far longer than we had intended. My muscles were sore with their overuse, but I knew by the end of the night, everything would be back to the semi-chaotic normal that I had become accustomed to. Until that damn drawer buzzed.

That meant a whole different world of chaos.

Chaos I really didn't have the time or energy for.

I had to stifle the groan that tried to escape as I leaned forward and pulled out the little black device that contained all my secrets. It buzzed happily in my hand again, signaling that, yes, as much as I hoped I had been dreaming, there was a bright message clearly showing on the screen, ready for me to open. I sighed, that much I couldn't keep in. Standing as quietly as possible, I left my room and padded silently to the bathroom, closing, and locking the door behind me. While leaning against the back of the door, I took a deep steadying breath and prayed to whatever gods where listening.

Opening the message, my heart sank.

Giuseppe's. 6 o'clock. Do not be late.

Black was coming here. This was a fucking nightmare. I tried to keep my panic to a mild level, but sparks were flying in my chest at an uncontrollable rate. If he was coming in person, then that meant something was going on. Something I wasn't aware of, and my ass was going to literally be grass. And Black was controlling the lawnmower.

I paused outside my bedroom, considering whether or not I should even bother trying to sleep. My nerves were shot in a seven-word message. But that message had hidden meanings. It had finality to them. Each word pronounced with indefinite punctuality. Punctuality that could mean life or death. In hindsight, Black would be the end of me, and that sat with me simply fine, if I were completely ready to go. Which I wasn't. Not by a long shot.

I turned back on my heels and chose the couch instead, but as soon as I sat down, I was right back up. The pacing began slowly, until I was making complete circles throughout our apartment. When the sun finally began to rise over the treeline outside our glass sliding doors, I looked down at that little black phone and considered throwing it against the wall. Instead, I snatched up my phone as I rounded the corner of the counter and began texting furiously, hoping Giovanni was somehow awake as early as I was.

Did you know that your father was coming to town tonight?

I waited impatiently for a response I knew could take hours. But surprisingly, my phone dinged within a couple minutes, and I began texting Gio and resumed the pacing.

J, do you realize how fucking early it is?

I don't care. Did you know?

No, I didn't.

Are you sure?

No, J. I would have said something to you about it. Why?

He will be here tonight at 6. He gave me a name of a restaurant. I assume he wants you there as well.