Ember's Kiss

  “Then what’s your plan?”

  His lips set. “I want to be rid of it forever. I just have to figure out how.”

  “Nobody can change what they are,” Liz argued. “Your physiology isn’t going to change just because you want it to.”

  “Then I’ll make it change!”

  “It’s a binding spell. We’ll break the spell….”

  “I don’t believe in magic, Liz. I believe in what I’m feeling. This thing is inside me and it’s baying for blood. I’m not going to play.” Brandon jabbed his finger at his own chest. “This is a contest and only one of us can win. That means the other loses. But if the dragon is going to win, I’ll take us both out instead. That’s how much this matters.”

  He stalked toward her car, leaving Liz with the urge to shake him. He wouldn’t be able to change his nature. He had to regain control of his dragon and destroy the binding spell, and the best chance of that, in her opinion, was to talk to others. If there was dragon magic at work, they were the most likely to know the answers.

  She was tempted to quote her mother, which just made her more angry.

  “How are you going to make it change?” she demanded, hearing her frustration.

  “I’ll figure it out!”

  “Or commit suicide instead,” she yelled back at him. “Good plan!”

  Brandon pivoted to face her, his gaze simmering. She saw surprise light his features, but she didn’t care. She stormed toward him, shaking her finger at him.

  “You said that my presence makes it easier for you to control the dragon,” she said. “Maybe walking away from me right now isn’t the smartest choice you could make.”

  His gaze danced over her, and she saw his anger fade. “You’re literally spitting sparks,” he said with awe, lifting a hand toward her as if warming it before a fire. “I thought the firestorm was satisfied.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Look at you. You’re on fire again! Your eyes are flashing and there are sparks flying in every direction. This is different from the firestorm. This is what I saw when you turned up on the beach and just a few minutes ago, too.” He looked into her eyes, his own bright with curiosity, and she had the sense he could see right into her soul. “So, come on, Liz. Tell me. What are you?”

  Liz panicked. She’d been a freak in high school and she knew how that story had ended. The mark on her arm seemed to itch. Her mother had died because of her.

  She wouldn’t put Brandon at risk.

  Liz took a step back from Brandon, and he could see that she was frightened. She spoke curtly, and the light that had illuminated her was gone—as if she’d banished it on purpose. “I’m a marine biologist; that’s all. I’m just mad because you’re not being sensible.”

  “No.” That wasn’t the truth and Brandon knew it. “No, this is more than anger. There’s something special about you.” He smiled because she looked so freaked out. He was hoping to reassure her. “More special than I already thought. It’s how you know about spells. You must be some kind of witch. Tell me.”

  “No!” Liz cried and headed for driver’s-side door. “There is nothing special or unusual about me. You’re seeing things!” She hauled open the door with a savage gesture, as if she couldn’t put distance between them fast enough.

  What was going on?

  “You feel pretty strongly about that.” Brandon said softly.

  “I do.” She gave him a hot look, one that showed him her fear. Her voice rose in challenge. “Do you want a ride back to Hale‘iwa or not?”

  Brandon leaned on the hood of the car with both fists, his gaze unswerving. “You know my big secret,” he said quietly. “Maybe you should tell me yours. Maybe it would make you feel better about it.” He smiled just a little, already guessing that it wouldn’t reassure her. “Maybe trust is the foundation of the firestorm.”

  “I don’t have a secret,” Liz insisted, and got into the car. She slammed the car door. “I do, though, have an appointment in Kane‘ohe. Ride or not?”

  When she started the engine, Brandon got into the car. He had no doubt that she would leave him behind when she was this upset, but he wanted to know why. She backed out and turned around, never glancing his way, and he noticed the nervousness in her gestures.

  He also saw the symbol on her upper right arm. He was sure it hadn’t been there the night before—he’d caressed every inch of her. It wasn’t a tattoo. It looked like a brand. But it was fully healed.

  Did it have something to do with her being so scared?

  He let her drive for a moment, then spoke in measured tones, returning to their earlier topic of discussion. “Okay, you’re right. Being with you does help me control my dragon. So the firestorm can’t be what affected the dragon’s power. The firestorm—and you—are challenging the dragon.” He turned to her, noticing how she deliberately stared straight ahead. “You can help me because you’re special—and maybe I can help you in exchange. But only if you talk to me.”

  Her lips tightened, and he knew her answer before she even spoke. “Let’s find your friend. I think we should get your scales back and learn more about this powder.”

  “Sounds like the subject is closed.”

  “It is.”

  “Is that because of this?” Brandon touched the new mark on her arm with a gentle fingertip, and she flinched. “Does it hurt?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. The less you know, the better.”

  Brandon didn’t agree, although he guessed he wasn’t going to get anywhere in this argument right now. “You’re going to have to tell somebody, Liz. And if you’re going to tell anybody, I think I’m your best choice.”

  She flicked a frightened glance his way.

  “Think about it. I know what it’s like to have a nasty secret, one that could maybe ruin everything if people knew. We already have this connection, and your power is somehow feeding mine. That tells me that we need to work through this together.”

  If anything, his words seemed to scare her even more. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel and he could feel the agitation in her pulse.

  What was she afraid of?

  “I’ll wait, though,” he added calmly.

  “Don’t hold your breath,” Liz murmured.

  Brandon looked out the window, watching the surf and drumming his fingers on the car door. “Okay, we have to figure out what to tell everyone who was at the beach.”

  “They’ll be looking for a corpse,” Liz agreed, and he had the sense that she was glad to be talking about something else.

  “So, maybe you found me,” Brandon suggested. “There’s a riptide on that beach. You could have found me all bashed up and washed down the coast.”

  “What about the dragon?”

  “What about the dragon?” He granted her an intent look, not appreciating that she wanted to share his secret with the world when she wouldn’t share hers with him. Liz held his gaze for a moment, then turned back to the road. Brandon felt his lips tighten but he again spoke calmly. “Let’s pretend we know even less than they do.”

  “It’s not much of a strategy.”

  “The alternative is telling them the truth about me, and I am not going there.” He gave her a hot look. “You, of all people, should understand that.”

  Liz blushed. “You don’t understand what’s at stake.”

  “Because you won’t tell me.”

  There was silence between them then, and Brandon wondered if her hesitation was due to doubts about his intentions.

  He cleared his throat, determined to straighten that out immediately. “Listen, Liz, I believe everything I said about forever and kismet and the firestorm.” He spoke softly but with conviction. “But that can only happen if I’m whole. I’m not going to risk the dragon taking a toll from you, ever.”

  Liz kept driving, but he saw her swallow.

  “We can do it together, Liz,” he said. “The firestorm is the only good thing about this dragon stuff,
and it’s the key to solving everything. We have to work together, which means you need to believe in the future, as well.”

  She said nothing and he knew she was really frightened.

  “My dad said that a firestorm brings a Pyr the woman he needs to make him more than he already is.”

  “I thought your parents split up.”

  “They did.” Brandon turned to look out the window, and he felt Liz steal a glance at him. “But he told me he would never love anyone else, no matter how long he lived.” He glanced back at her suddenly and caught her gaze. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, and he knew he must look intent and determined.

  He felt her pulse flutter.

  She wasn’t immune to him. She believed in the firestorm, too—but she was afraid that whatever she feared was stronger than both of them.

  That just meant that Brandon had to figure out the truth and show her that she was wrong. He stole another glance at that symbol, ensuring that he would remember it.

  There had to be a way to look it up. Maybe its meaning would tell him what he needed to know.

  When Liz parked in front of the beach bar where Brandon’s buddies always hung out, Brandon made a show of getting out of the back of Liz’s car, just as they had agreed. He acted as if he was more beat up than he was, but the sight of him even pretending to be injured was troubling to Liz.

  As he’d predicted, he was spotted instantly and was immediately surrounded by his concerned friends.

  Liz rubbed the mark on her arm and hung back, worried. Was she doomed to lose every single person in her life she cared about? As soon as she’d had the thought, Liz couldn’t shake it. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the first time she’d allowed herself to care for someone, the mark of her impending test had appeared.

  Could she help Brandon defeat his dragon, only to lose him?

  The mark on her skin felt like it was burning.

  No. She had to face her test alone and pass it. She had to leave Brandon to ensure that he wasn’t at risk. That was the only way to keep him safe and to guarantee that they even had a chance at a future.

  Liz became aware of someone watching her and looked around. There was a dark-haired guy across the street, sitting on the steps of a porch. He had his elbows braced on his knees and his fingers steepled together as he watched.

  Without blinking.

  There was a knowing smile on his lips.

  He could have been a statue, he was so still.

  Liz turned her back on him and tried to ignore the weight of his gaze. Curious strangers weren’t her problem right now.

  “Brandon! We thought you were a goner!” one of Brandon’s friends said with obvious relief. “You okay?”

  “What about the dragon?” the blond friend who’d been with Brandon the night before asked. “Did he kick your ass?”

  Brandon shook his head. “I don’t know about a dragon. I don’t remember much. Just water.”

  Despite her dismay, Liz almost smiled. He was as terrible a liar as she’d expected. He was genuine, right to the heart. She ached a bit with the certainty that she had to walk away from him, even for a short period of time. Her mother’s test had occurred within three days of the mark’s appearance. Would Liz’s come that soon? In a way, she hoped so. In another, she was terrified of failure.

  Maybe she could help Brandon before she left him.

  Brandon shuddered as his friends looked on. “Lots of water.” He straightened and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t look any of them in the eye as he told his false story. “Then I got hauled underwater. Thank goodness Liz found me.” He gestured to her, and his friends nodded acknowledgment of her.

  “Liz, this is Dylan,” he indicated the blond friend. “And Matt.” This was the dark-haired guy who’d tried to buy her a drink. “Rick.” This was the guy with dreadlocks who had talked to Liz at the beach. “And Kira.” The petite woman was striking, with silky dark hair that hung to her hips and bright green eyes. They were all stunningly attractive people, toned and tanned. Liz felt pale and out of shape.

  “You were at the beach,” Dylan said.

  Liz nodded. “Looking for Brandon.” She smiled at him but knew her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I didn’t think he’d be trying to drown.” He watched her, his intensity reminding her of the truth of his nature. There were moments when his dragon nature seemed so obvious.

  “It must have been the dragon that pulled you underwater,” Matt said with conviction.

  “Or a riptide,” Kira interjected, her skepticism clear. “You better not have damaged that wet suit.”

  “It’s got some blood on it, but I think I can wash it out.” Brandon straightened and turned, letting Kira check it out. “Kira had the wet suit made for me, to advertise her new line of gear,” he told Liz, then he grinned at Kira. “I thought I just had to keep from dying in it,” he teased her.

  “You could have been killed out there today!” Kira punctuated her words with a punch on his shoulder. “What a dumb-ass thing to do.” Matt started to say something, but Kira turned on him. “And you’re no better. You’re both stupid, maybe too stupid to live.” She turned and walked away, anger in every line of her body.

  Matt fluttered his hand against his chest. “I can tell you love me, Kira!”

  “Dream on!” she shouted at him, her lips curling in a reluctant smile.

  “Oh, I do, Banzai Baby. I do!” Matt shouted, and Kira blushed. She made a dismissive wave and got into her car, then drove away.

  Brandon took Liz’s hand in his and gave her a smile. She fought her instinctive urge to respond to him. Maybe it would be easier for him to let her go if he thought she didn’t care. He had a persistence about him that meant he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  And Liz loved that.

  “You should have been a goner,” Dylan said. “I mean, you never came up for air.”

  “Like I said, it was a blue crush,” Brandon insisted. “I managed to get the leash off, then was pulled under by the water.” Liz had a feeling that his explanation wasn’t going to fly.

  “Or the dragon,” Rick said.

  Brandon’s expression changed slightly, and Liz sensed his fear that his story wouldn’t hold together. She couldn’t think of what to say. Sadly, they were both lousy liars.

  To Liz’s surprise, it was Matt who gave credence to the story.

  “Brandon can always hold his breath the longest,” Matt reminded them. “Don’t you remember the last time we swam underwater with rocks? He went three times farther than any of us.”

  “You’re right,” Rick said. “It’s eerie how long you can hold your breath. I’d forgotten that you were superhuman.” They laughed together and teased Brandon a bit.

  “Like Kira said, it must have been a riptide,” Liz said, trying to encourage this acceptance. “Aren’t there a lot of them around here?” The guys nodded agreement and their skepticism visibly faded. “I found him down the coast, washed up on the beach like old seaweed.”

  The guys laughed at that and nudged Brandon.

  “Puking salt water, probably,” Matt teased with a grin.

  “Always a good opener,” Dylan said, flicking Liz a significant glance.

  Brandon grinned back at Matt. “You have words with a rock or something?” he asked, indicating the gash on Matt’s temple.

  “An argument with the reef. I lost.” Matt shrugged. “My leash was snagged on the reef and I couldn’t get to the surface. I couldn’t reach my ankle to unfasten it, either. If it hadn’t been for that dragon, I would have been a goner.”

  “Did you really see a dragon?” Brandon asked, feigning skepticism. “Because I never did.” The assertion rang with such insincerity that Liz winced.

  And the tone of the conversation changed again.

  “How could you not remember the dragon?” Rick demanded. “He was right there, and huge.” He lifted his hands, mocking a dragon’s pose. “Didn’t you feel him pull you under?”


  “It was the wave that took me under.” Brandon scoffed. “What have you guys been smoking? You’re seeing dragons?”

  Dylan, meanwhile, roared back at Rick. “He could fly, too. Freaking awesome.” He turned to Liz. “You’re the one who followed the dragon. You saw him.”

  They all turned to face Liz, and she knew she’d never be able to lie her way out of this corner. “I did,” she admitted quietly, feeling Brandon’s disapproval.

  “Where’d he go?” Dylan asked.

  “I don’t know,” she lied. “As soon as I saw Brandon, I pulled over. I lost sight of him then.” She gestured vaguely. “He was headed toward that point.”

  To her dismay, they locked on to that detail.

  “Ka‘ena Point,” Rick said. “It’d be a good place to hide out for a dragon. It’s not very popular, and it’s a bit wild.”

  “We should head out there,” Dylan suggested, his eyes alight with the idea. “See if we can find him, get a closer look.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good plan,” Brandon said. “You don’t even know if there is a dragon.”

  “I do.” Matt gave him a look.

  “Be serious,” Rick said. “We saw him. Just because you were too busy trying to die doesn’t mean he wasn’t there.”

  “But…” Brandon protested.

  “I’m in,” Matt said. “I want to see the dragon that saved my butt.”

  “Excellent!” Dylan said. “Let’s go.”

  “But you took the Jeep in for repairs today,” Matt said, and Dylan winced.

  “Hey, can we use your car?” Rick asked Liz.

  She shook her head. “No, sorry. It’s not mine. I’ve got to get it back, actually.” She glanced at her watch, thinking that would be the end of it. They wouldn’t walk to the point.

  “But we’ve got to find that dragon while we can,” Matt insisted. “He might not stay there long.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Brandon said again. “I mean, if there is a dragon, he might breathe fire on you or something.”