45. Black & Gold
“ You are pretty cute when you are being nice.”
“What am I when I’m not nice?”
“Hot as fuck, honestly.”
Quinn threw her head back and laughed deeply from her belly.
It was eight days before Christmas, and we were in Montana. We flew first-class, and Quinn rented a massive truck for us. “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears played softly in the background as Quinn drove us up to her family’s cabin. Snow-covered trees lined the winding roads as we ascended higher into the mountains. I had always loved snow, especially around this time of year. The world, sparkling with holiday cheer, reminded me of going to see Pops’ extended family when I was a little kid, of ice skating and snowball fights after Christmas gifts. The thought made me smile. I wonder how they were doing? They were air and water dragons like Pops was. Did they know what had happened to him? Had anyone told them?—?
From my lap, Clarkson licked underneath my chin to bring me back to the present. Her little stub of a tail wagged gleefully, so happy to be accompanying us and to be in my lap. She had refused to leave my side since Quinn had picked me up for the airport. When Quinn gave a command, Clarkson ignored her, but when I did it, she listened immediately, with Quinn rolling her eyes and mumbling something about betrayal and ungratefulness. I kissed her cute little round head and scratched behind her floppy ears. I loved that I was the new favorite of this chocolate ball of fluff.
Quinn squeezed my hand as she clutched it in her lap. I could feel her sending reassurance and calm through the bond. “What are you thinking about, sweetness“
“Memories from holidays past.” I kissed her knuckles. “What was it that you said on Thanksgiving? Remember the old traditions, but it’s okay to make new ones?”
Quinn glanced toward me with a full smile on her face. “You’re going to love this, then. There are new traditions galore! Have I told you about everything we do during the trip?”
“No, but please do!”
Quinn launched into a detailed itinerary of all of her family’s activities that they do every year. She raved about the decorations they put up on the outside and inside of the house on the first day together. The family would go and chop down a tree from the woodlands near the house to trim with homemade ornaments that they had made as kids and ones that had been in the family for generations. Her and her mom cooked Christmas dinner just like they did for Thanksgiving. Instead of gifts, the family played games where the winner got bragging rights and silly prizes. They would laugh, argue, and enjoy each other’s company, just like any family. Just like my family would. As she raved about how fun it was all going to be, I did my best to listen and ignore the gnawing feeling in my stomach.
My general nostalgia and heartache around the holidays aside, meeting Quinn’s family was a big deal. Spending the holidays with them, even more so. They came together once a year at their cabin, a sprawling retreat nestled in pristine wilderness. It sounded idyllic, but my nerves were still set on edge.
I just… I had never met a girlfriend’s family before. I had never made it that far in a relationship. This was the first time. Sure, I had met Quinn’s mom, and she was a joy to behold. Quinn did nothing but talk about how phenomenal her Aunt Tess was, how annoying but kind of endearing her Aunt CK was, and how her dad was a teddy bear once you got through the hard exterior. But I remained unsure, nervous. Could have something to do with them being hunters?
“You’re going to love it, baby girl. Everyone can’t wait to meet you. It’s going to be okay,” Quinn said. My smile to her was genuine, and I sent my gratitude with love through our connection.
Soon, the cabin came into view from the long ass driveway. Calling it a cabin was a gross understatement. The structure was made from large stones and wood sitting on over thirty-five acres of land, trees, and mountain views in the distance. It had to be at least six-thousand square feet with well over three floors just from looking at the impressive front. It looked like something out of a holiday postcard, complete with smoke curling up from the chimney and snow covering its roof.
As we pulled up, a strange feeling settled over me that I couldn’t shake. It had to be my nerves. Meeting your girlfriend’s family would make anyone anxious, right?
Right?
Quinn parked the truck in the circular driveway and got out. She came around to open my door. Clarkson immediately jumped out, but Quinn blocked my exit before I could follow her. Quinn held my face in both of her hands, her expression soft. “ Mi tesoro, háblame, por favor. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is?—”
Quinn’s look stopped the rest of the words in that sentence.
I sighed. “I’m sorry, starlight. I’m just… Have you told them about me? Like, what I am? Or have the cousins told? I know you said it doesn’t matter, but I’m just?—”
“It’s okay, baby girl. I get it. Only the cousins and my mom know. I haven’t told anyone else. They don’t need to know, and it doesn’t matter. All they know is that you aren’t a hunter and that you are a shifter. That’s all they need to know.” She kissed me. The trust and love I felt wasn’t from the bond this time, but her lips on mine. “Don’t worry, sweets. They’re all going to love you. I promise, okay?”
I nodded, my anxiety easing slightly.
She helped me out of the truck by lifting me out and putting me down. The air was crisp this high on the mountain. My breath was a visible cloud from the cold. I was grateful I had layered up in my thickest, warmest, fur-lined outfit.
Quinn pulled the luggage out of the covered truck bed and led me up the steps with our bags in tow, like the one-trip-girl that she was. She unlocked the door, and we went through it into a world of warmth. Clarkson ran past us, getting a case of the zoomies immediately. The scent of pine and cinnamon greeted the both of us along with the darkness of the house. There was a distinct emptiness to the place.
“Are we the first ones here?” I asked as Quinn took off my coat and scarf for me to hang up in the closet.
“Looks that way, my love.” Quinn took off her own coat and hung it next to mine. She took off her boots, and I followed suit. “How about a tour of your home for the rest of the year?”
I rolled my eyes. “First of all, you are such a dad with your jokes, I swear. But second of all, are we reenacting how we spent our first date technically?”
Quinn smirked and offered her hand. I took it.
As I would take it every time I could.
Quinn took me on a tour of the house with Clarkson trotting close after us. The impressive ranch-style house itself was even grander than Quinn’s house. It was as luxurious inside as it was on the outside with high vaulted ceilings, polished wooden floors, large windows with stunning views of the winter wonderland stretching before us. Quinn pointed out the living room, the spacious farmhouse kitchen, and a dining area with a table more than large enough to fit her entire family, and then some. There was a recreational room in the basement with a movie theater, arcade, expansive bar with plenty of liquor, a VR set-up, and so much more. The upstairs felt like a maze with hallways that went on for ages, leading to closed door after closed door. Each of the countless bedrooms on the second floor had their own personality and look, along with a matching en suite connected to them. I loved hearing Quinn talk so animatedly, but I struggled with the feeling clawing at my gut.
There’s a strange energy here. Something is lurking. Something is wrong. This is bad. My dragon paced, restless. Her energy was making me bristle with goosebumps, my hair standing on end.
Eventually, Quinn showed us to our bedroom, her favorite bedroom in the house and one always claimed by her. It was a very cozy space with a farmhouse vibe to match the kitchen, a King-sized bed, and a breathtaking view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The mountains stretched out as far as the eye could see, snow glistening under the late morning sun. I looked out, trying to calm my dragon’s desire to fly over the mountains and not look back. What was going on?
Quinn approached me from behind and wrapped her arms around my waist. She kissed my cheek. “You know, we have had this mating bond for a little under a month, but I can read you like clockwork without it. You have been anxious since we got here. What’s going through that beautiful head of yours, sweetness?”
I shook my head. “It’s stupid, really.”
“Hey.” Quinn turned me around in her arms to face her. “Nothing about how you feel could ever be stupid. What is it?”
“I just have this feeling...”
Quinn’s eyebrows scrunched with worry. “Is it like the dagger?”
“Not exactly… Well, kind of? It’s not as bad, but it gives me the same trepidation. It’s hard to describe, but there’s something bad in this house.”
“Well, that could be my Aunt CK or my father, depending on the day.”
“I’m being serious, Quinn.”
“I know you are. I promise that I’m the only one with a key, and we have all sorts of wards on this place. Only family and those invited here can set foot on the grounds. You’re safe here. Besides, I would never let anything happen to you.” Quinn leaned down and kissed me. Then again. And again. She smirked against our lips. “I do have something that could take your mind off things, though.”
I giggled as Quinn took my lips again. This time, I melted into her, my worries waning, to dissolve into her and us. Quinn was right, as always. While my feelings were always valid and I would never discredit them, there wasn’t anything that me and Quinn couldn’t face together. I was a dragon-shifter and she was a huntress. Nothing could take us both on. We would take care of each other and figure this out.
The doorbell rang downstairs. Quinn continued kissing me, acting like she didn’t hear anything. The doorbell rang again, and Quinn refused to break the kiss. It wasn’t until whoever was at the door held the button and Clarkson started going berserk that Quinn finally separated with a groan.
“I will never know peace.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Welcome to the holidays with friends and family. C’mon!”
Simone, Maisie, the triplets, and Nat were the ones ringing the doorbell to let us know they had arrived. Excited to be spending the holidays together, we squealed, greeted, and hugged each other before launching into our regular chatter. After everyone claimed their rooms and Nat got the drinks flowing—because, of course, she did—we decided to go downstairs to the basement to play video games until the rest of the family trickled in. By playing video games, I mean Quinn and I dominated everyone in everything from Mario Party to Overcooked . We were the dream team.
While Cody and Cole argued with Quinn after a particularly aggressive round of Mario Kart , Maisie and Simone joined either side of me on the couch.
“What is Everett up to without you to keep him amused?” Maisie sipped from the sangria that Nat and Cody had made. It tasted like someone had melted Christmas down and made it into a wine with berries floating on top.
“He and Teddy are on a romantic getaway to a resort in Maldives,” I answered, wiggling my eyebrows.
“Ooooooh, how long have they been together again?” Simone asked.
“Over two years now, I think.”
“I smell a pro-o-o-posal!” Simone sang. “Who planned the trip? Do you know?”
“Everett, I think? But he wouldn’t propose before taking me ring shopping. That man knows nothing about weddings, and he would never rob me of the chance to roast him about it. It would break my heart!” I feigned clutching my heart as if I had been wounded at the pure thought, making them laugh.
Cody and Cole demanded a rematch from Quinn. So, the three sat down before the television, controllers in hand, and started arguing about the best stage and the rules for the race. I smiled and shook my head at their shenanigans. I felt Quinn’s competitive spirit through the bond, and I sent my amusement back to her. She turned and winked at me.
“I could get used to all of this,” Maisie said.
“I could enjoy this forever,” Simone added. “The three of us with these crazy kids. Imagine every holiday here. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”
Cody cursed, losing another round. We all laughed, and I felt some of the tension ease as I began to relax. I wanted to be in this moment, here with the cousins like this forever. The strange feeling lingered, an itch at the back of my mind that I tried to ignore, but I was determined to enjoy my time with Quinn and her family. So, this was perfect.
It had to be.
T he front door slammed so loudly that it shook the walls of the basement, followed by a flurry of footsteps and animated conversations that made it so we couldn’t hear the music from the games.
Natassa rolled her eyes, pouring another glass of sangria. It had to be her fourth one, but that was the last number I remembered for all of us and that was ages ago. “Looks like the Trinity has arrived.”
“Took them long enough!” Cody slurred, trying to stand and almost stumbling back onto the floor. “Fuck, Natty-Light, what did we put in that sangria?”
“Enough alcohol to deal with our mother, obviously,” Nat answered.
All eight of us made our way to the main floor. It had drastically changed since we had been up here a mere few hours before. Now, the house appeared like the latter part of a Hoarders episode when they are cleaning the worst of the collection away. Strewn everywhere were plastic bins with their lids askew and cardboard boxes ripped open. All of them had their contents spilling out. Garland, lights, tinsel, blankets, and so much more were laid out all over. It was Christmas in progress.
“Byrdie, Mama’s sugar-angel-pie, welcome home!”
I turned just in time before Quinn’s mom took me up in a tight embrace. When she pulled back, I was able to take in her festive green wrap dress and hair in a long braid down one side of her face. She was stunning as ever, her eyes sparkling with so much love, my breath caught in my throat. Gods, I loved seeing this woman. It felt like she was sent to me directly by my mom.
“This isn’t necessarily home, Mama. It’s a vacation house,” Quinn corrected.
“Well, home is where my babies are, so it’s home to me!” Mama kissed my cheek.
“Oh my goodness, Adrienne! You are smothering the poor girl before I have even gotten to say hello!” A gentle, soft laugh sounded from behind Quinn’s mama. There stood another woman, slightly shorter than Mama, with long dirty blond hair dutch braided in the back with flyaways framing her face. She had a more demure, quiet disposition to her, but her smile was incredibly warm like a hot cup of tea. “My name is Tess. It’s lovely to finally meet you, Byrd!”
She pulled me into a quick but cozy hug. “Quinn talks about you all the time. It’s nice to put a beautiful face to the name.”
I smiled, grateful for her kindness and sweet nature. “It’s great to meet you, too.”
“Ah, yes. The famous Byrd.” Another woman scrolled past Tess and Mama. She wore all black from her shirt to her socks, a standout in the sea of colorful, festive outfits. Her hair was platinum blonde in a harsh ponytail to match the sharp look in her blue eyes. I recognized that look and eye color. She had to be Carol-Kay or CK, as Quinn called her. A smirk played on her lips as she looked me up and down with an appraising gaze. “Hope you’re ready for a real family Christmas. We don’t do shit halfway around here.”
“Aunt CK, be nice,” Quinn said, a slight edge appearing in her smile.
“I’m just saying. No room for amateurs—Ah! My babies!” CK cried out when she caught sight of her four children. She pushed past me to shower them with hugs and kisses.
“Don’t take it personally, love,” Mama whispered, placing a hand reassuringly on my shoulder. “She’s prickly like that to everyone.”
I forced a smile and nodded. Quinn placed an arm around me, pulling me close. Just when I was starting to feel unsettled, Quinn’s touch grounded me. I smiled up at her.
“Well, now that everyone is here, we can kick things off with decorating! We have so many hands this year, so this should take no time at all!” Mama declared, heading for a box with various items wrapped in tissue paper.
“Wait, we’re starting without Dad?” Quinn asked, confusion in her furrowed brows.
“Oh, he’ll be late.” Mama waved the question off like it was an annoying fly. But the frustration was clear in her voice and on her face. “You know how he gets when he’s on a job. But we aren’t going to wait up! We are going to enjoy ourselves because it’s Christmas, and that’s what family does. Now, you all know what to do, so let’s get the girls up to speed, okay? Quinn-Quinn, go get the box of plates and placements down. You know I can never reach it, and it’s too heavy. Cody, get some music going! It had better be festive, none of that emo nonsense you played last year. It’s the season of joy, not Seasonal Depression Hour.”
Yep, I loved this family.
The next few hours were a whirlwind. Mama’s energy was infectious as we all worked to unpack and decorate the mansion inside and out. The scent of pine and cinnamon grew fresher and stronger as we unboxed and hung ornaments, garland, and string lights around the entire main floor. Mama directed the chaos with practiced ease, her laughter ringing throughout the cabin and lightening the mood whenever it threatened to turn awkward. CK’s jokes were often cutting, but Tess’s gentle humor balanced everyone out, ensuring everyone was included. Inside, the cabin transformed into a festive wonderland straight from a Christmas Hallmark movie.
Tess began passing me crystal figurines depicting Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all the reindeer pulling a sleigh packed with presents. She unwrapped each one delicately before handing it to me to put on the mantle near the stockings.
“Be careful now, these are family heirlooms.” Her gentle guidance eased my nerves, and it made me beam.
On the other hand, CK was in charge of hanging the outdoor lights along with her triplet boys. Her commentary when she came inside to get another box of lights, while harsh, managed to make everyone laugh every time. When she picked up a particularly tangled mess of wires, she shook her head. “If these lights don’t work, it ain’t my fault. Who the hell even packed these last year?”
“I do believe it was you. I think you did it while saying, ‘who gives a damn about wrapping lights?” Nat quoted.
While they started bickering, Quinn found me setting up the Christmas pillows and blankets. She kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear for me to hear over the arguments and Kelly Clarkson’s “Run, Run, Rudolph” playing in the background. “You’re doing so fucking great, sweetness.”
“Thank you so much. This is so much fun!”
“I told you so,” Quinn smirked. “Have you hung up the stockings yet?”
“We just put out the holders on the mantle.”
Quinn looked at the mantle and shook her head. “I think you and Aunt Tess messed up.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, there are only nine up there. You are missing three.”
My jaw fell open. “You fucking didn’t, Quinn Garcia.”
Quinn’s smirk blossomed into a full smile. She grabbed a long box from under the couch and opened it. Inside, there were three stockings: a forest green one with some of those moveable sequins that you could draw into, a purple knitted one with lace trim, and an opal holographic one that…
“It looks just like my scales,” I whispered, my vision blurring from my tears. “You got this for me?”
“Of course, baby girl. This family is insane, but I want you to feel included. I told you I was all in, and I meant it.”
I pulled her in for a kiss, sending all of my gratitude through my lips and our bond. She was so thoughtful and good to me.
“Get a room, beanie babies!” CK yelled at us.
I parted, still in Quinn’s arms, but I raised my eyebrows. “Beanie babies?”
Quinn rolled her eyes, exasperated. “That is what my Aunt calls lesbians.”
“That is actually kind of cute.”
“Please don’t encourage her.”
Laughing, we hung up the family stockings and Simone’s, Maisie’s, and my own on the mantle. Seeing my own stocking hanging next to Quinn’s embroidered hot rod flame one was everything. I could see years of holidays like this. Maybe inviting Everett, Teddy, and Talli, too. It would be a house full of laughter from everyone I loved under one roof. My heart swelled at the idea. Quinn must have felt it, too, because she took me in her arms, kissed the top of my head, and sent a line of agreement through our bond.
“Girls! Dinner’s ready!” Mama called to us.
“When the fuck did she have time to cook dinner?” I asked incredulously. “Are we sure that your mom isn’t a witch or something?”
Quinn laughed.
With the decorating completed, we all sat down for the miraculous dinner that Mama had made. The table had four different meatloaves, mashed potatoes next to the largest gravy boat I had ever seen, squash casserole, toasted bread, and creamed spinach. Mama had even sat a dog bowl of homemade gruel down for Clarkson that she was fucking up with reckless abandon. The aromas from the steaming dishes made my mouth water and reminded me that I hadn’t eaten since Quinn and I had breakfast at the airport this morning. I was running purely on the excitement of the day, caffeine from the coffee this morning, and vibes.
We all dug in, our mouths filling with such deliciousness that my toes curled under my seat. I did my best to swallow my moans from the goodness of it all, but I did shower Quinn’s mom in compliments. That was the most conversation at the table from everyone, honestly. Soon, it became stilted, punctuated with long pauses. Mama, bless her heart and ever the hostess, worked hard to keep the conversation flowing with jokes and stories, maintaining the lightness of the mood.
“So, Byrdie,” Mama said, leaning toward me with a twinkle in her eyes. “How did you and Quinn meet?”
I smiled. “We met at a party when she literally fell for me.”
“Aw! Love at first sight! How sweet!”
“Didn’t you meet the last one at a party, too?” CK’s humor cut through the joy in Mama’s eyes.
Quinn’s eyes darkened slightly. “Yes, not that it matters.”
“Always great for ruining the moment, huh, Mom?” Natassa sipped her red wine with a shake of head. Her freckled cheeks were red from all the alcohol she had had today.
“What? What’s so wrong about bringing up her exes? I mean, I obviously like this one more. She can take a joke at least.” CK’s eyes sparked at me.
“Uh, thank you?” I tried to take it in stride.
“I think everyone should cut Mom some slack.”
“Oh, you would, Cooper .” Nat spat his name out with a venom in her tone.
“What is that—?“ Cooper started.
“You know exactly what it means. You have it out for Byrd for whatever reason for months . It’s goofy and lame. Dad isn’t coming back, no matter what you do. It’s beyond time to get over it.” Nat downed the rest of her glass.
“Natassa Collier—!” CK reprimanded before getting interrupted by Cooper.
“You are one stupid, angry, drunk bitch.” Cooper tossed his napkin on the table and stormed out of the room.
“Cooper, wait!” CK followed after him. Distantly, a door to the back of the house slammed, making me, Simone, and Maisie jump. Quinn just shook her head.
“Well, I call that another successful Hesse-Collier-Garcia Holiday Dinner,” Cole declared.
“Nice going, runt,” Cody said, sipping his bourbon.
Natassa flipped her brother off. “Oh, go fuck yourself, Cody. He needed the reality check. Besides, Mommy Dearest is out there reversing any bruises to her precious baby boy’s ego.”
“Can we just be a family for one holiday without all of this bickering?” Mama asked, her laugh lines coming out with her exhaustion.
“I have found that you aren’t a family without that,” Simone noted.
“Especially not this one, apparently,” Tess added.
Feeling awkward and having to pee, I cleared my throat, pushing my chair back. “I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t need our mating bond to sense the multitude of emotions coming off of Quinn, everything from embarrassment to annoyance to fear. I gave her a kiss on her forehead and placed a hand on her shoulder. She put hers over my own, and I could feel the tension begin to leave her body. I reassured her with a smile. “I’m just going to the bathroom. I won’t be long.”
“Hurry back, sweets.”
I made my way upstairs, toward the bathroom. The earlier sense of unease returned with a vengeance. The hallways were long and dimly lit, with only the light from downstairs helping me to find my way. As I walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. It clawed at me relentlessly, pushing my dragon closer and closer to the edge. It took a few tries at doors to find my way to a bathroom. I closed the door behind me, taking a moment to just compose myself.
Breathe, Bee. Just take a second and breathe.
I did my business and washed my hands. Then I splashed cold water on my face, a trick that I remembered seeing online to help stave off anxiety attacks. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had forgone makeup today just because, but my bare tawny skin was noticeably pale. My eyes were wide as a deer in headlights, my mouth slightly agape. I couldn’t get my hands to stop shaking, even as I gripped the counter. My scale tattoos wouldn’t stop rippling down my arms, casting prisms of color throughout the bathroom walls.
“It’s just nerves or something,” I whispered to my reflection. “Everything is fine. You’re okay. Nothing is wrong. You’re okay.”
Not true. Something is wrong. I can sense it. My dragon barked. I shook my head to try to clear it more before drying my hands and leaving.
Now, which way was it to get back downstairs?
My nerves were so raw and fried that I couldn’t remember what direction I had come from to find the bathroom. There had been so many twists and turns, and Quinn had only given me the tour once. I could hear the faint sounds of conversation downstairs—even though it was full of fits and starts—more toward the right than the left, so I decided to follow my gut. I walked for a ways down the hallway, turning where I thought the sounds were getting louder.
Just when I thought I was at the staircase, I turned to find a door. The sounds of Quinn, her family, and my friends disappeared when I reached it. Where had they gone? Why couldn’t I hear them now?
Had they even been real to begin with?
I stared at the door before me. It looked just like all the other ones, probably leading into a bedroom or bathroom that Quinn hadn’t shown me earlier. It was unassuming. Normal, even.
But there was something about it?—
Something’s wrong. Something’s wrong. Something’s wrong. My dragon sent alarm bells off in my head, but neither of us knew why or for what. But that feeling… that strange feeling was so strong here, so intense. I felt a pit in my throat and stomach at the same time.
There was something behind this door.
I had to open it.
I had to find out.
Before I could change my mind, I reached out and opened it.
Immediately, I was hit with the almost cave-like darkness in the room. I stepped in, searching the walls for a light switch. When my fingers found one, I flipped it.
There were no words to describe the sight before me.
No.
Dragons. There were dragons mounted everywhere . Wings. Scales and skin. Heads and skulls. Horns. Fangs. Talons. Everything was all over the walls, on the large desk, on the shelves of the bookcases. There were so many different kinds, different colors, different sizes. There were feathered wings, each the size of a large truck. Long heads like that of a snake and shorter hands like that of a chameleon. The scales were from every shade of the rainbow. There were even tiny antlers that had to belong to… Oh, Gods, no.
From each of these, no matter how large or small, I just felt energy radiating off of them and hitting me like the tide on a beach. The strange feeling… The feeling that something was wrong. This was it. This was that feeling.
It was the power from the dead dragons.
A chill went through my spine. I felt I could sense someone else here. The obsidian pendant around my neck heated almost to a scalding degree. I turned around, ready to face whoever was there, hoping it was just someone coming to check on me.
It wasn’t.
No matter how much I wished it was that.
It wasn’t.
Instead, it was so much worse.
Mounted on the wall across from the desk was a dragon’s head, and a large one at that. It had golden horns growing from its forehead and curling down near where its head would have met its neck. The long muzzle was full of long fangs. Its eyes were a glossy dark brown almost-black color with a slitted pupil that was clearly artificially made. Golden traditional dragon wings were mounted on either side of the skull. In the lowlight of the recess lighting, the dragon’s ruby red scales shimmered with gold. It was well-preserved somehow, against all rationality.
I found the nearest trash can and emptied everything in me: dinner, coffee, breakfast, my sanity. When I had nothing left to vomit, I sobbed, shattered and broken.
I couldn’t think past all of this pain. I couldn’t ask questions about how this could happen. I couldn’t do anything but sit there and stare and sob.
Something tugged at my chest. But no matter how much reassurance and good vibes I could feel being sent through the bond, it was all drowned out.
I don’t know when Quinn appeared in the room. I don’t know when she crouched down beside me. I don’t know how many times she asked me what was wrong. I only know the moment she took my face in her hands and forced me to look at her. Tears flowed from her eyes, etched with worry.
She caressed my cheeks, tried to keep me grounded and present. The tears kept coming. They wouldn’t stop. “I came as soon as I felt you through the bond. What’s wrong, Byrd? Talk to me. Are you okay?”
I choked on a sob. I could barely breathe. I looked away from Quinn.
My eyes returned to the dragon’s head and wings mounted on the wall.
“That’s my mom.”