The next night, after we’d all recovered from the expedition to Siberia, we decided to do something totally crazy.

We threw a dinner party.

Because of size restrictions, we had to host it at Ares’s house, which was the only place big enough for all of us.

“This was an excellent idea,” Ares said as he mixed the queso and chiles together.

“Everyone needs to eat.” I dumped chips into a bowl. “And everyone needs a break. Even if it is a short one.”

Cass, who leaned against the granite counter, raised her can of PBR. “Couldn’t agree more.”

I grinned and took a sip of my Four Roses, enjoying the burn. Bourbon was perfect for situations like this. “And we’re not technically taking the evening off. We’re just having our wrap-up with some food and a view.”

“And what a view it is.” Connor hiked his thumb back toward the living room where the expansive windows gave the incredible view of Magic’s Bend at night. “You sure know how to live, Ares.”

“Um, thank you,” Ares said, clearly off kilter with compliments on his fancy apartment. He might not think it was fancy, but we sure did.

“I think we’re ready.” I picked up the bowl of chips and headed toward the living room. “Grab the queso, please.”

Ares picked up the bowl and followed us out. Claire, Del, and Roarke sat on the gray couches, chatting. We joined them, setting the food down on the table. The main courses would come later, but for now, we’d take care of business.

We hadn’t seen each other since our ride back across the desert and the return to Magic’s Bend last night, since everyone had needed some medical care and a good long sleep. It’d taken me last night and today to recover from the dark magic that had surged through me, but I felt mostly better now. I was still haunted by the idea that I’d have to return and live in Elesius if I didn’t want my homeland to die, but I was trying to ignore that worry. First things first, and all that.

“Thanks for your help, guys.” I smiled. “You made all the difference, keeping those Yetis off my back. Not to mention all the rest.”

“Always.” Cass raised her PBR. “Here’s to deadly adventures.”

I raised my glass, enjoying the glint of light on the amber liquid. We clinked our glasses together.

“Torus was so happy about the destruction of the castle,” Claire mused. “I’ve never seen a man so gleeful.”

Joy warmed my chest. “He was, wasn’t he?”

“As for Drakon,” Ares said. “He’s still out there.”

“And we have no new clues about his location.” Del frowned. “Or why he wants to kill the dragons. What does he hope to gain?”

“No idea. If only our FireSoul magic was strong enough to find him.” I’d been trying all day with no luck.

“Whatever concealment charm he’s wearing is powerful,” Cass said. “I don’t think we’re going to have a breakthrough on that.”

“We could try to find the dragons,” Connor said. “Though the prophecy was pretty vague.”

“Aren’t they usually?” Claire laughed.

She had a point. Prophecies were often hard to understand even if you did know the whole thing.

“It’s a clue, at least.” I clung to that hope. “We just need more clues. Drakon will hunt them. So we will too. And you never know, Drakon might come to us. He needs us for his plan.”

“We could make ourselves bait.” Cass grinned, a cunning glint in her eye.

“Something like that,” I said.

“I don’t like it,” Ares said. “Too dangerous.”

“I second that.” Roarke’s words tripped over Aidan’s, which were basically identical.

I looked at Ares. “We’re used to dangerous. It’s kind of what we do.”

“I’ve noticed that,” he said.

“Good.” I nodded. “We’ll come up with a plan. Because Drakon is coming for us. And we have to be ready.”

* * *

Across Town…

Inside Nix’s trove, magic sparked, illuminating the darkness. Plants rustled with magic, as if they sensed the change in the air. The dragonfruit plant shivered as magic flowed through its stalks and fruit. It shifted, morphing with the magic of Life. The magic of FireSouls.

As rain pattered on the glass ceiling of the greenhouse, one of the fat round dragonfruits dropped from the stalk and landed in the dirt. Power vibrated through it, and the fruit took on new life. It stretched and unfurled, growing limbs, then a tail, and finally a head. Red scales tipped with green glinted in the light of the moon that flooded through the glass ceiling. Green wings and obsidian claws curled against the dragon’s small body.

Thunder cracked in the distance as the tiny dragon—born of magic and life—opened its dark eyes and sought the future.

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