From the smoldering fire, Xilon swore he heard Ash’s voice. Impossible. She couldn’t have survived the dragon flames.

“Xilon!” came the voice again.

No, it had to be the Tryn playing a trick. But as Xilon peered into the inferno, a woman’s shape took form. Slowly, Ash shuffled out of the fire. Her hair singed and slightly smoking. All her clothing completely burned off.

How?

“A-are you real?” He reached out a hand to cup her cheek. Her flesh was hot like fever, but unblemished.

She blinked at him several times before she looked over her shoulder at the oily carcass that had been the Tryn. “Is it gone?”

“You don’t ever have to worry about it again.” He pulled her into his embrace, his heart soaring. He didn’t care how it was possible she survived the dragonfire. Perhaps her Grams was right and she did have Renjerian blood, however slight, in her that protected her from the fire.

“Damn!” she mumbled against his chest. “Cause I really wanted to run my blade through it.”

He chuckled. By all that was wonderous, she was alive. He felt as if he were soaring while his feet remained planted on the ground.

“H-How was it I didn’t burn?” she asked.

“Well, you’re hair is a bit charred.”

She gasped, pulling a hand free of his embrace and patting her dark, tight curls.

Nearby, several sirens sounded.

He could stand there all day and night just holding her forever. Smelling her sweet scent underneath the smell of smoke and kissing her everywhere.

“Um…Xilon, we’d better leave.”

He bent to kiss her then her words sunk in. “Why?”

“Well, for one thing, we’re both naked.”

“Yes, and I thought we could take advantage of that.” He brushed his lips across hers.

“Secondly, the fire department will be here to put this out and we can’t be here. They’ll think we’re arsonist.”

“Plus being naked gets you arrested.” He nodded, remembering his time in prison. Which he’d need to pay the three that shared his jailcell a visit and make certain they weren’t harming any more women. Kohl and Taurian would be eager to help him keep tabs on the criminals too.

She squeezed his hand. “Grams…Brice…and your brother. The demon said there were more.”

“No fear,” he smiled, “I’ll blast them with my fire once your Brice and Grams are safe.”

“Follow me.” Ash tugged on his hand. “Grams has a friend at the edge of the swamp we can borrow clothes from.”

Together they ran along the murky edge of the water. Reptiles stalked them but didn't drift from the safety of the swamp. He called forth his fire to scorch them away, but his throat tightened and only a tendril of smoke whizzed out. What the hell?

At a tin building, Ash called out, “Miss Peters?”

No answer. Ash banged on the door then tried the handle.

“It's locked.”

“Allow me.” Xilon twisted the metal off then opened the door.

“Thanks. I'll grab us some clothes and leave a note. If Brice is possessed, we don't have much time left to save him.” Her voice shook.

Xilon rubbed her back. “We'll get him back and save Taurian and Grams too.” But he didn't tell her the truth…that his dragon fire wasn't working. He'd tried to get it ready as they ran, but it didn't answer his call. Maybe it was transforming back and forth that froze it. Or his torn wing that ached across his back whenever he moved certain ways. Whatever the reason, they were racing to two giant Tryns and a possession that might make this Brice do anything. And would Ash risk herself if there was no other choice? No, he couldn't let that happen.

She might hate him forever, but at least she'd be alive.

* * *

Outside Grams’ home, Ash raced up the wooden steps to the back porch. If she could get a weapon then she could remove the demon from her brother and kill it. She hoped Xilon could handle the other two Tryns. No sounds came from inside the house. Where was everyone? Her heart speed up...were Grams and Brice okay? What about Taurian? Unease settled in her gut. She glanced over at Xilon who nodded.

The door squeaked open and she and Xilon eased inside.

He brushed a hand over her shoulder, giving her comfort. His eyebrows rose as though questioning which way to go. She pointed toward her bedroom in the back, and he nodded. They would have to cross the kitchen, living room, then down the hall to her room.

Breaking the window of her bedroom would have attracted attention too soon. If they encountered demons, Xilon could hold them off until she grabbed her swords.

All the lights in the house were off and with the clouds outside, it looked like the middle of the night.

She and Xilon crept through the kitchen. Her breaths were hard and fast in her chest. She had to save her family. Her nerves danced along her skin as memories of her parents’ deaths choked her. But having Xilon with her comforted her some. Nothing like having your own personal bodyguard dragon.

The kitchen was clear, which should've relaxed her anxiety except it only heightened it. Why is it so goddamn quiet?

She tightened her fists. On the couch lay a figure. Oh, please don't let me be too late. She had to be able to save her brother. Before, when her parents had been killed, she'd been too young. Hadn't known what to do. Now that she had the ability to save him—

Her throat dried.

Tears filled her eyes as she slunk forward. Xilon caught her sleeve to hold her back, but she jerked free. No, she had to know if her brother was okay. Her legs shook as she dashed to his prone form. Before she touched him, hands grasped her by the back of her neck and tossed her across the room. Her hip slammed against the front door.

Xilon yelled something she couldn’t make out. Her head ringing.

She blinked, not understanding what she was seeing. Xilon was punching his brother, Taurian.

Clawed hands snapped on her arms and hauled her up. The Tryn from Renjer, the one from the swamp earlier.

“No, we killed you.” She kicked against shins.

“Ha, did you see my body burn to nothing? Your blood protected me from the dragonfire like I wanted it to.”

She punched against his hold on her shirt, but he didn't budge.

If Xilon used his firepower now, she and Taurian would be safe from the heat. The commotion would give her the chance to get away and rescue Brice and Grams.

“Xilon! Blast them.” It might even loosen whatever control the demons had over Taurian.

“Yes, dragon filth, show us your fire,” the demon mocked.

Xilon met her stare, pain filled his eyes. “I-I can't.”

The demon laughed. “You see?”

“That's why you took me to the swamp, to get him to use the last of his reserve.”

“Yes. I can see why you like this human, dragon. She's smart.”

Xilon kicked his brother in the stomach and headed toward her and the demon. But Taurian recovered too quickly and kicked his legs out from under him. Xilon fell, his brother gnashing his teeth at him, trying to bite him.

Fuck! Taurian is possessed by one of the big bad demons! That's why he was attacking.

She glanced over to her brother, his skin was ashen with welts breaking out across the skin. The last stage of possession before he was lost forever.

Ash bucked against the demon’s hold, but the brute only laughed.

Please, help me. She prayed to whatever gods or ancestors or entity would listen. She couldn't handle this again.

A scream echoed from the back of the house. Grams! Ash thrust forward as hard as she could, head-butting the demon. It reeled backward, dropping her to the floor.

Taurian grasped her leg, but she kicked him in the face.

“Go!” Xilon held his brother back. “Go!”

The Tryn slashed his claws into Xilon's side. Pain washed across his features and her heart tore in half.

She took a step toward them.

“Damn it! Go!” Xilon yelled.

Her swords. She could fight them if she could get to her weapons. She scrambled up, leaping over an up turned chair.

Her breath screamed out of her lungs as she raced down the hallway to her room.

As soon as her hand touched the bedroom door, a force hit her back. She sailed forward, her head striking the wood. On her back, the demon straddled her.

“Now it's time to make more of my kind who will be immune like you to dragonfire.”

There would be no defense for Xilon and his kind against these creatures. She couldn't let that happen.

She struck the demon in his face with her elbow, but he merely laughed.

“Together we will make legions.” The demon shoved down her pants and her fists did nothing to stop it.