The Dragon Games

Blood Moon Rising

WELCOME HOME PLEEBS!

WEEKS UNTIL BLOOD FEST: ZERO

As soon as he could, Cassian pulled me from the auction, taking me to his private chambers. Cassian lit his fireplace, and we sat in front of the flames, our skin painted in warm, rippling hues.

"I know you are much too wise to make any rescue attempts for the raider's dragon, but assure me anyway," Cassian said.

I stared into the throes of the fire, flames dancing in my eyes. Drax had already stolen the raiders; I couldn't let Sammy come home to nothing. "I cannot—"

"Unbelievable!" Cassian burst out. "Edmund Balthasar does not want the dragon! It is a ploy to lure you out, and when you try to save it, a fleet of Balthasars will ambush you, just as they did in the mountains. Only this time, Edmond will be among their ranks, and he has enough Divine to challenge you. If you fight one on one, I do not know who would come out victorious. But with the support of his squad, I have no doubts."

Cassian's eyes dipped to the amulet hanging around my throat. His fingers twitched as if he wanted to snap the chain and feed it to the fire.

"Think about what happened the last time you saved something that belonged to Crenshaw. Save yourself instead," he said.

"It's one and the same," I replied, in the same tone one might call fire bright or snow cold. Certain facts spoke for themselves. Defending them didn't require any effort; denying them was a losing battle.

"You do not care if you die?"

"Of course I care, but there are worse things than dying."

"I saved your life, at great risk of my career and reputation, and this is how you repay me? By throwing it away?"

"I'm sorry, Cassian," I said. "Ask for anything else, and I'll do it, but I can't give you this. The moment we met, Leon Smalls gave me a choice between selling Sammy out or dying. You have known what I am from the start."

"And what are you? Crenshaw's Pet? Is that the grand sum of all your aspirations?" He grabbed my shoulders, as if he wanted to shake some sense into me. "You're more than that."

"I'm truly not," I said bluntly. "But that doesn't mean I plan on dying in Blood Fest. I will save Rauuk, and then I will get a dragon of my own. A powerful dragon."

"What does Crenshaw have on you?" Cassian burst out.

I stopped short. "What?"

"Why are you so obsessed with his safety? What is he holding over your head? If you tell me what it is, we can fight him together."

"He's not holding anything over my head. I help him because I want to. He's the only family I've ever had."

Cassian stared at me for a long, long moment. Then he looked up at the ceiling, his expression flattening. "When I picked a raider for my squad — a raider with a list of crimes taller than I am — I knew many forces would conspire to take you down, but I never imagined your ultimate downfall would be your... "

He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "... conscience. Look, I am not saying having a conscience is wrong. Consciences are stunningly beautiful and all, but must they come at the cost of success?"

"I'm sorry," I said again.

Cassian's face steeled over. "Save Crenshaw's dragon if you must, but do not bond with the creature."

"Of course not. I hate Rauuk."

It was the wrong thing to say. The tips of Cassian's ears stained bright red. His left eye twitched as if he was staring at his last straw.