Chapter 36
Harlow
My stomach is tied in knots as I walk out of the flight school building, toward the line of black SUVs waiting in the parking lot.
I think I might be nervous to see Drake after last night, which is silly.
Nothing has changed. I’m also feeling anxious for Jordyn.
Today is the big day for her and Grim. Has their bond strengthened, or will she be on the next flight home? I hope not.
I spot Jords already climbing into the closest vehicle with Grim, who looks as grumpy as ever. She catches my eye, and I throw her what I hope is an encouraging smile.
“You’ve got this!” I call out to her.
She makes a face, her expression somewhere between terrified and about to puke.
“I hope you’re right,” she says. Then she waves and shuts the door.
I scan the parking area for Drake, searching each vehicle as they start pulling out one by one. My stomach sinks a little lower with each SUV that leaves. Where is he?
“Harlow!” Scar shouts, waving at me.
I turn to see him standing by his vehicle, gesturing for me to come over.
“Drake isn’t able to attend today,” Scar says as I approach. “You’ll ride with me.”
“Oh.” I try to keep my voice light. “Okay.”
Disappointment rises in my chest, sharp and unwelcome. I shouldn’t care that Drake isn’t here. I really shouldn’t.
I climb into the passenger seat and buckle up. Scar slides in behind the wheel and starts the engine.
We pull out onto the jungle road, following the other vehicles toward the field.
“Where is Drake?” I ask, unable to help myself. “Is it a work thing?”
“Yep. Council business,” Scar replies, his eyes on the winding road ahead.
“The session is shorter today anyway. The main focus is on Grim and Jordyn to see if they’ve managed to strengthen their bond.
” He glances at me briefly. “If Drake is going to miss a day, then this is a good one. Besides, you two are already quite bonded.”
I nod, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at his words. I shift in my seat, hyperaware that Scar knows about me and Drake. There is no doubt in my mind that he is referring to us having sex when he says “quite bonded.”
We drive in silence for a while. I stare out the window at the thick jungle lining the dirt track.
The silence stretches. Becomes awkward. I feel Scar glancing at me from time to time.
Please don’t say anything. Please don’t say anything. Please don’t—
“I’m not sure if Drake mentioned…” Scar says.
Please no!
“I know that the two of you had a one-time thing. I could scent it on him when you guys got back yesterday.”
I want to groan out loud.
Heat floods my cheeks, and I resist the urge to sink lower in my seat. Instead, I force myself to look over at Scar, catching his gaze before he looks back at the road.
“Yes,” I manage, my voice tight. “Drake told me that you know. Thank you for keeping it to yourself. It…um…it shouldn’t have happened. But it did. We were…it was…one of those things. It—”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Harlow,” Scar says, his tone surprisingly gentle.
“I get that these things can happen. Mistakes happen. We can be influenced by our beasts. You’re only human.
” He pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is more serious.
“You need to tread carefully going forward. Drake has a lot to lose, as do you. In fact, I would go so far as to say that you have more to lose than he does.”
“We’re not going to do it again,” I tell him. “We agreed it was a bad idea.”
“If it happened, then there must be an attraction, which can lead to slip-ups,” Scar continues. “Don’t go there. Drake will lose his career, but you could lose your life.”
“I understand,” I say. “Thanks for the advice.”
I pray he drops it.
Please, please, just drop it.
But Scar isn’t finished.
“Do you understand, Harlow? Do you really?” His voice is firm now, almost stern.
“If you’re in a relationship with Drake, his dragon will become overprotective.
His beast is already quite bad where you are concerned.
It’ll just get worse. So much so that it will cloud his judgment.
Get in the way of the job and possibly put you in harm’s way. ”
“That isn’t going to happen,” I argue, feeling defensive despite knowing he’s right. “I think it’s good he’s so protective of me. I’d be dead if he weren’t.”
“Imagine his current level of protection but on steroids. What if one of you decides to end it?” Scar asks. The question hangs in the air between us. “You’ll still have to work together with hard feelings. That could get you killed as well.”
We pull up to the field, the SUV rolling to a stop on the packed dirt. I can see the others already congregating near the center, standing a safe distance from where Grim will shift.
“I know all of this,” I tell Scar, unbuckling my seatbelt. “It happened once,” I lie through my teeth. “It won’t happen again. We’re good.”
“I thought I would take this opportunity to warn you, that’s all,” Scar says. “There’s so much at stake, Harlow.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, and I mean it. Despite how uncomfortable this conversation has been, I know he’s coming from a place of concern. “I appreciate it.”
Thankfully, he drops it.
We climb out of the vehicle and make our way across the field.
The morning sun is already hot, beating down on my shoulders.
The others are all assembled, standing in a loose semicircle.
Dragons and their riders are positioned around the perimeter of the field.
They’re on high alert in case Grim’s dragon gets out of control.
I spot Jordyn near the center. Her face is pale, and her hands are clenched into fists at her sides.
My heart goes out to her. I know how badly she wants to be a rider. How badly she wants to stay.
I make my way over to stand with the other Tributes. Georgia gives me a small wave, and Dani shoots me a nervous smile. Even Becca is subdued, her usual cocky attitude replaced by something that almost looks like apprehension.
Once all the mind-bonds are assembled and the protector dragons are close by with their riders on their backs, Scar gives the signal.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he calls out to Grim.
Grim nods once, moving further away from us and from Jordyn. Then his body begins to shimmer, that familiar distortion in the air that signals a shift.
The transformation is quick but mesmerizing. His human form melts away, replaced by scales and wings and massive claws. When it’s complete, a pitch-black dragon stands before us, his scales gleaming in the sunlight. Streaks of vivid blue cut across his wings like lightning strikes.
He’s magnificent.
Grim’s dragon immediately becomes agitated. He paws at the ground, his great talons digging furrows in the earth. His wings twitch, spreading and then folding back, as if he wants to take flight. The protector dragons move in closer, ready to intervene if needed.
He tries to take off, but two dragons move in to flank him. One of them roars. He roars back, but descends, finally standing still, his eyes on us.
“You can go now,” Scar tells Jordyn.
Grim’s tail lashes back and forth when Scar speaks.
Jordyn swallows hard. I can see her throat working from here.
“This is it.” She glances back at us.
“You can do it!” Georgia yells.
“Yeah, Jordyn!” Dani adds, pumping her fist in the air.
“Go get your dragon!” Becca screams, surprising me with her enthusiasm.
I catch Jordyn’s eye and give her a smile, nodding once.
She takes a deep breath and starts walking toward Grim’s dragon.
Step by step, she closes the distance. There is concentration etched on her face. Her brow furrows as she focuses. She’s trying to reach him through their partial bond, trying to establish that mental connection.
She moves closer. Then closer still.
“Stop there!” Scar yells.
But Jordyn doesn’t listen. She keeps walking, closing the distance even more between herself and the enormous black dragon.
“Don’t go any further!” Scar shouts. “He could kill you.”
Grim becomes agitated again, his head swinging toward her. A low rumble emanates from his chest.
Jords takes another step toward Grim.
“Jordyn, move back!” Scar shouts.
Grim goes up on his hind legs, his front claws pawing at the air. Then he opens his jaws and blows fire into the sky in a great jet of orange and red flames.
Jordyn shrinks back, her arms coming up to shield her face.
We feel the heat of the fire from all the way over here in a blast of warmth that makes sweat break out on my forehead.
I hold my breath, my heart hammering in my chest.
Then Jordyn falls to her knees. Both hands fly to her temples, pressing against the sides of her head.
It looks like they might be communicating. Maybe Jordyn is still trying to reach him. I can’t be sure.
We all hold our collective breaths, not wanting to ruin it. Not daring to make a sound.
Grim’s dragon calms. The agitation drains from his massive body. I stifle a laugh when Grim’s dragon starts to purr. Deep rumbles that I almost feel through the ground below my feet.
Jordyn slowly gets to her feet. She approaches him carefully, one hand extended. Her palm touches his great, scaled head.
We erupt.
Screaming, yelling, going nuts. Georgia and Dani are jumping up and down, hugging each other. Even Becca is grinning, shouting encouragement.
Jordyn looks back over her shoulder at us, and the smile on her face is radiant. She clasps her chest as she moves away from him.
Grim shifts.
The moment he’s fully human again, Jordyn launches herself at him. Grim catches her easily, his arms wrapping around her waist. He’s smiling. It’s weird to see the usually gruff, scowling dragon shifter look so happy.
He spins her around, lifting her feet clear off the ground.
“All right, simmer down,” Scar calls out to us, but he’s smiling too. Pride is written all over his face.
We try to quiet down, though excited-sounding whispers continue to ripple through the group.
“We have work to do,” Scar announces, raising his voice to be heard. “You all need to work on your mind-bonds.”
“Let’s go, Becca,” Mist says. The she-dragon is gorgeous. She’s tall with long blonde hair and the most toned legs I’ve ever seen on a woman.
“Congrats, bro,” Smoke shouts at Grim, who is still grinning.
They all head out in their mind-bonded pairs.
Everyone except me.
I’m alone.
“You go meditate,” Scar tells me.
Oh, the joy.
I try not to let my disappointment show. “Sure thing.”
I’m sure I fail because he adds, “It’s important to get really great at clearing your mind.”
“I know,” I tell Scar.
“It needs to become second nature. I know meditating can be tedious, but it’s a skill and a necessity.”
I nod and walk to our usual spot.
I can’t help but wonder if Drake is avoiding me.
Nah, I’m being silly. It isn’t that at all. He has Council business to attend to. Besides, he can’t avoid me; I’m his rider.
I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow.