The guys ran to help him. Matt’s chest heaved, and suddenly he spewed forth a stream of ocean water. Then he sat down heavily in the last couple of inches of water and put his head in his hands. Liz could see that he was trembling from his ordeal.
The dragon was high in the sky, flying west.
The guy who had been talking to her went and picked up Brandon’s board. He stared out at the water, his expression stricken, then rejoined the others. Two of the guys watched the dragon flying away.
Liz went one better.
She ran to her car and followed him.
Brandon had nearly killed his friend.
Matt had been so shocked by the sight of Brandon in dragon form that he had wiped out. He could easily have drowned.
Of course, he’d only seen Brandon in dragon form because the dragon was calling the shots. Brandon couldn’t control his transformation. The dragon had decided to claim him and he hadn’t been able to stop the change. He couldn’t shift shape back to human form when he wanted to, like right now. He feared that he had only succeeded when he did because the dragon had let him do it.
And that wasn’t good.
In fact, it was steadily getting worse.
His dragon wasn’t just powerful; it was commanding him.
Brandon had been shocked to see Liz, both amazed and awed that she had followed him. He’d been astounded to see the sparks flying from the ends of her hair and her eyes flashing just as they had the night before.
Hadn’t the firestorm been satisfied? He’d certainly felt just as strong of a surge of desire when he’d seen her this time.
But the dragon had claimed that rush of power and used it against Brandon. The dragon had roared and Brandon had lost it, and the dragon claimed his body as he fell. It had fed off the anger of the sea, ocean and dragon urging each other to greater violence. The dragon had wanted vengeance on Matt for his scheme to target Liz, and, worse, had demanded that Brandon take a penance out of his friend’s hide. He’d managed to resist the powerful urge to rip and shred, but only barely.
Probably only because Matt had wiped out.
No matter how he looked at it, Brandon was responsible for Matt’s injury and it was only raw luck that his friend hadn’t died. There was no way he was going to approach Liz when his dragon was running wild like this.
In fact, he knew he shouldn’t be close to anybody in this state. He wasn’t sure how to fix the situation, either. Had this change happened because of the firestorm? Was it both blessing and curse? He had to talk to Chen, but he couldn’t risk being among people in Hale‘iwa. Who knew what would set off his dragon? Of course, that was assuming that eventually the dragon let him shift back to human form.
Brandon was cursed.
Just like his dad.
His nature was evil.
Just as his mom had insisted.
He flew west, hating what he was and what he had inherited from his father. Their inner dragons weren’t just primal beasts; they were wicked. How could any part of him want to see Matt dead?
The peninsula of Ka‘ena Point stretched beneath him in the distance, a jagged point of ancient lava that ended in the sea. Legend insisted that this was where souls met eternity.
Brandon remembered the story and was tempted. He was ready for his soul to meet eternity. If he couldn’t have a normal life, if he couldn’t even be among people, he couldn’t see the point in living. His affliction was only getting worse.
He was ready to jump off the point and let his dragon be smashed into the relentless surf of the sea. He was ready to see his dragon destroyed, even if he had to be destroyed with it. There was no hope for him or the future with his dragon out of control. The promise of the firestorm was a lie, just as it had been for his father.
It was when he glanced back at everything he’d leave behind that he saw the turquoise Mercedes barreling along the highway beneath him.
Liz.
Relief and trepidation rolled through Brandon in equal parts. He wanted to see her again, with all his heart. He wanted to talk to her. But he was afraid that his dragon might injure her.
All the same, just seeing her approach soothed his anger. He felt the fury of the dragon fade at the sight of her car, and just being close to her made his situation less terrifying. He could feel the blue shimmer that heralded his transformation and knew that he could do it.
Because Liz was close.
Brandon suddenly understood that Liz could help him. The gift of the firestorm was that her presence gave him more control over his dragon. She could be his salvation. Together they could defeat the dragon’s terrifying force.
That candle in his darkness flickered to light again, and he dared once more to hope.
Did she know that he was a dragon shape shifter? Was that why she was following him? Brandon didn’t believe it. If she’d guessed the truth, she would have been driving in the opposite direction, putting as much distance between them as possible. She’d do what his mom had done and banish him from her life.
He didn’t want to deceive her, but he couldn’t risk losing her.
He had to tell her the truth.
Right now.
The road pretty much ended where the state park began, and there was a gate to keep vehicles out. If Brandon went all the way to the point, Liz would have to walk in. The trail was rough and it could take her hours. If she’d followed the dragon this far, whatever her reason, Brandon guessed that she wouldn’t give up and turn back.
He changed his course, aiming to land where the road disintegrated to rubble and potholes. He landed and shifted shape, just out of sight of where she’d have to park the car. He was so relieved to be back in human form that he could have wept. He heard the crunch of tires on gravel. He heard the engine shut off, then heard the door slam.
He had to risk losing Liz and trust in the future. He had to confess to her. The prospect terrified him, even though he knew it was the right thing to do.
And, really, if Liz turned away, his dragon would win. Everything was on the line.
As Liz walked closer, he felt his sense of control return and grow stronger. Brandon thought he had to stay away from Liz to ensure her safety, but, actually, he had to stay close to her to keep his dragon in check.
All he had to do was convince Liz to keep him in her life. She came around the corner, her eyes flashing with the anger that made her look incandescent, and he wasn’t entirely sure he’d have a chance to do that.
Liz saw the dragon land, just past the barrier that blocked the rough road. She parked at the end of the highway, where there was a notice that the area beyond the gate was a state park. How far into the park was he? How far would she have to hike? What would she find when she reached him? She had no gear, much less any supplies, and spent a moment considering the wisdom of entering the park to meet a dragon alone.
But the dragon was Brandon.
And she knew he’d never hurt her.
Even if she felt like hurting him, or at least yelling at him, given that he’d gone out into that dangerous surf. What had he been thinking? And why had he shifted shape in front of his friends like that?
He’d saved people this morning, though. Had he anticipated that Matt would wipe out and nearly drown? Did dragons have foresight?
Liz had a thousand questions. She’d come this far and she wasn’t going back without some answers.
Whatever they might be.
She rolled up the windows and locked the car, regretted her flip-flops, then slung her purse over her shoulder and headed onto the trail.
The path clung to the rocky coast and was breathtakingly beautiful. There was almost a straight drop to the sea on one side, and Liz could see those furious waves slamming against the coast below her. They were beautiful from this safe distance, the way they cast spray into the air like diamonds and swirled in magnificent shades of blue.
The ocean stretched off, seemingly forever, and the wind was warm. The hill rose high and rocky on the
other side of the path. The land was arid, the vegetation here sparse and tough. She should have had water and boots, and hoped that Brandon was close.
Liz rounded a kink in the path and stopped cold. Brandon was on the trail just ahead of her. He looked exhausted and wary, his wet suit and hair were still wet, and he didn’t even have flip-flops.
He studied her in silence. She sensed that he was uncertain of what she would say or do, but the intensity of his gaze hinted that his feelings hadn’t changed. That put a lump in her throat.
She’d been right to follow him.
And her relief that he was—mostly—okay weakened her knees.
“What were you even doing in that surf?” she said when he didn’t say anything, and heard her voice rise. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or chew you out.”
Brandon almost smiled. “I vote for option number one.” He still didn’t come closer, as if he thought she was unpredictable. “And it’s a long story. I’ll tell it to you if you’ll hear me out.”
But Liz already knew part of the story. “You’re a dragon shape shifter,” she said. “One of the Pyr.”
Relief lit his eyes. “You know!”
“I guessed.”
“But you’re here.” This seemed to astonish him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Brandon gave a hoot of joy and flung his fists into the air. He laughed as he scooped her up and swung her around in triumph. Liz couldn’t help but smile at the exuberance of his reaction. “You’re here! You’re not afraid of me.”
So that was it.
He kissed her, quickly but thoroughly, leaving Liz flustered and flushed. The man could have invented kissing, he did it so well, and her body responded to his touch as surely as it had that first time.
She still couldn’t resist him. She locked her arms around his neck and kissed him back, letting him taste her relief and gratitude.
Several moments later, he lifted his head and smiled down at her. “I can’t believe it. How’d you figure it out?”
“I never saw both of you at the same time. That made no sense.” She slid her hands over his shoulders, unable to stop touching him. He felt so warm and solid and strong. “The sheets were warm this morning, you were gone, but the dragon was in my room. There was no ferry to the island after ours, but I saw a dragon in flight. Then you turned up.” She met his gaze. “Plus there was that bit at the beach just now.”
“So you knew even before you came after me?”
“I wasn’t positive.”
He laughed and kissed her again. His eyes sparkled like sunlight on the waves, and Liz couldn’t help but be infected by his mood.
“I don’t know why you’re so surprised,” she said. “I came after you to check that you were okay. You were gone, and even though the most logical conclusion was that you were the dragon, I needed to know for sure. The building collapsed, but they didn’t find any bodies.” She exhaled, remembering her fear, and tightened her grip on his shoulders. “I had to know that you were okay.”
Brandon’s expression filled with wonder. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, then framed her face in his hands and kissed her again.
Liz didn’t understand why he thought as much, but there were better things to do than talk. Brandon deepened his kiss and Liz opened her mouth to him, pulling him closer. She wanted to feel his body against hers. She wanted to touch him all over. His hands slid under her shirt and he unfastened her bra to caress her breasts. His palms were warm and his touch was mesmerizing. Liz arched her back and moaned when he broke his kiss.
“It’s happening again,” he said, looking dazed.
“What is?”
“My heartbeat—it synchronizes with yours.” He lifted her hand and flattened her palm against his chest, trapping her hand under his own. He smiled down at her as she felt their hearts beating in unison. “It makes me dizzy,” he said with a grin that made her mouth go dry. “Like you’re a drug and I can’t get enough.”
Liz knew exactly what he meant. “Is the firestorm supposed to create an addiction?” she teased, and he laughed.
“Maybe.”
She stretched up and kissed him, leaving her hand under his. She felt his heart skip a beat and hers do the same; then he caught her closer with a groan.
“Maybe we should find somewhere more private,” he murmured against her throat. Liz pulled back so that she could look up at his face. His eyes were glinting, lit with a wickedness that made her heart beat faster.
“First you owe me an explanation,” she said sternly. “You never told me what you were doing out there. Surfing when the waves are that high is crazy.”
Brandon shook his head. “It wasn’t crazy. This morning, my dragon was responding to the surf. It was raging and violent and wanting to destroy everything it could.” He frowned. “In the past, physical exertion—like surfing—has been a way to keep my dragon in his place. I thought I could beat it back if I surfed. I thought that if I could tame it again, I could come back to see you. I thought we could have a chance of a future.”
Liz was relieved by his concern. He wanted to be in charge of his unpredictable dragon.
His eyes glinted and she saw his competitiveness and his confidence. “I wanted to dominate it once and for all.”
“But you didn’t.”
His eyes darkened with concern and he held her a little tighter. “It’s getting stronger and that frightens me, Liz. I couldn’t shift back this morning after the earthquake. That’s why I had to leave you. It shouldn’t be that way, but I wasn’t in control.” He nodded toward the ocean. “I wasn’t in control out there, either. It took charge and compelled me to shift.”
Liz swallowed, seeing how much that troubled him. “But you’ve shifted back now. What changed?”
He smiled at her so warmly that her heart skipped a beat. “You. You changed everything. I thought this morning that I had to get away from you, to keep you safe, but, actually, I have more control over the dragon when you’re close.” He bent and brushed his lips across hers so gently that Liz yearned for more. “Maybe staying with you can keep the dragon from ruining everything.”
“I don’t understand.”
“That’s what happened to my parents.” Brandon frowned, but didn’t release her from his embrace. “Being Pyr runs in families. My dad is a dragon shifter, too. My mom told him he was a monster and that his powers were evil. They split up.” His smile was cautious and his gaze searching. “You can imagine what she said when I came into my powers at fifteen.”
“You’re not a monster,” Liz insisted.
“You sound sure.”
“I am.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. She heard him catch his breath and looked into his eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he murmured. His gaze was so filled with admiration that Liz had to kiss him again. Moments later, they parted, and Liz knew she wasn’t the only one who wanted more.
Brandon nuzzled the side of her neck and kissed her earlobe, his touch making Liz dizzy. “Is there a blanket in that car?” he whispered in her ear.
“Why?” Liz sounded breathless even to herself.
“I want to make sure my dragon stays put.” Brandon had that mischievous glint in his eyes again and looked even more sexy with his hair so tousled from Liz’s fingers. His hands were setting her skin on fire, distracting her so much that Liz had problems thinking straight.
“How is a blanket going to help you surf?”
“When I surf, I’m so focused on the physical challenge that my dragon is silenced. That’s why I surf a lot.” His smile broadened as he held her gaze. “I’m thinking of another physical challenge that might push the dragon even farther back into his cave.” He arched a brow, looking so unpredictable and sexy that Liz couldn’t resist him. “Interested in doing a little experiment?”
Liz laughed. Brandon ducked his head beneath the hem of her shirt, cupped her breast, and took her nipple in his mouth. He touched her as if
he had to persuade her to agree with his plan, but Liz was too busy enjoying his caress to set him straight. She gasped as Brandon grazed her nipple with his teeth. She ran her hands through his hair and held him closer, wanting more. He unfastened her jeans and slid one hand beneath her panties, his fingers caressing her wet heat.
“Who needs a blanket?” she managed to whisper, and Brandon chuckled against her skin. He scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder, heading off the path and up the hill. “Hey! I can walk.”
“Think of it as a favor to me,” he teased. “Physical exertion. You’re helping me with my dragon one more time.”
Liz laughed despite herself. “So this is for the greater good?”
“I can’t think of a better reason. Can you?” He stopped at the crest of the hill and turned around to face the sea. There was more wind here and a greater sense of solitude.
Brandon caught her around the waist and lowered her to her feet, letting her slide down the length of him. Liz felt muscles and solid heat every inch of the way and was smiling by the time they were nose to nose. She let her flip-flops fall off when he held her there. She was crushed against Brandon’s chest and his eyes were glowing. She thought that things couldn’t get more perfect.
He leaned toward her, his expression sultry, and she was more than ready for another simmering kiss.
But Brandon screamed and convulsed in pain.
The transformation happened faster than ever before, and this time, it attacked Brandon without any warning. The shimmer was firing through his body before he had any inkling that it was coming. He felt a stabbing pain in his chest as he flung Liz away from himself.
He had to ensure that he didn’t hurt her, even inadvertently.
He roared in fury as the change claimed him and the dragon seized the upper hand. This was wrong! He should be in control! How could the dragon be calling the shots?
Brandon was livid that the curse of his blood should betray him—and attempt to ruin everything. Pain seared the spot where he was missing a scale, and he raged dragonfire at the sky in frustration. What was wrong?