I slumped down into the chair beside his desk.
“Only a warlock can summon a caracara demon and it’s no easy feat, especially inside a supposed magicless fortress.”
Great, now I had to worry about warlocks too.
“Or a weapon imbued with their magic,” Talon supplied.
“Sandrene?” Logan’s eyes flicked to my moody roommate.
“It’s not impossible.”
Why did I feel like I was missing something? “Um, guys? I’d like to be included in this conversation too.”
“This is beyond your paygrade, one thirty-eight.”
“Seriously?” I side-eyed the jackass and spun to my friend. “Looogaaan?” I couldn’t help the whiney twinge. Talon’s lips curved into a sneer, and of course I regretted my tone the moment it was out. I sounded like a bratty toddler telling on my big brother.
Logan rounded his desk and placed his hands on my shoulders. I could feel Talon’s glare searing into the back of my head as the warden whispered, “Talon and Hayden sometimes do favors for the administration. I’ve recently been brought up to speed on their roles. As you know, I’m new to all of this, but they both have extensive files. Actaeon assures me they can be trusted and therefore, I’ve decided to do so as well.” He craned his neck back and stared at Talon. “Until they prove otherwise.”
The big dragon sat up and scooted to the edge of the couch cushion. “And what about her, Warden? Why does she get special treatment?” His voice was like icy shards digging into me.
“I already told you, inmate. I know her and her family. We go back a long way.”
“So, you’re going to dismiss what she did to Van—?” His growl cut off mid-syllable as his silver wings snapped out.
“What I did to who?” I exclaimed, injecting steel into my voice despite the surprise appearance of his leathery appendages.
“Nothing.” He jumped up and paced the length of the fireplace, folding his massive wings behind his back. His fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides with each step. Silver scales crept across his forearms, and my eyes darted up to meet his. Narrowed slits replaced his pupils, brilliant silver eclipsing those mesmerizing orbs.
“Talon.” Logan’s voice oozed authority, the rumbly quality sending a shudder down my back. “Talon, can you handle this?”
“Yes,” he snarled.
“Are you sure?”
“I said yes.” He loosed a breath and turned to the gargoyle, the fury rolling off him lessening a notch.
“Good.” Our warden pivoted back to me and squeezed my shoulder. His eyes pinned to mine, he continued, “Because you’re going to be in charge of keeping Azara alive.”
My jaw unlocked and nearly hit the floor. I was sure my dragon bunkie wore a matching expression, but all I caught was the four-letter word that spewed from grinding teeth.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I blurted.
“It is necessary.” Logan’s hold on my shoulder tightened. “Until I can figure out how Delacroix is smuggling weapons in here, bribing the guards, and terrorizing all the inmates, Talon here is going to be your personal bodyguard.”
“I can take care of myself, Logan.”
The big stupid dragon grunted. “Because you’ve done so well with that so far.”
I stomped across the room and seared him with my own fiery glare. “Do you really want to be stuck to me like glue? I thought you hated the sight of me. Work with me here…”
The corner of his jaw twitched and for a second I thought he’d smile, but instead his lips twisted into a frown. “No, she’s right, Logan. Azara can handle herself just fine. Go ahead and ask her how she almost got stuck in Block Eight the other night.”
“Traitor,” I hissed.
Logan moved between the two of us, cleaving the mounting energy. “Enough. I am still the warden here.” He dragged his hand through his silvery hair and released a breath. “Until I can get Azara out of here, you will watch her, Talon. And you will keep her alive, regardless of whatever this is.” He pointed back and forth between us.
“How are you going to get her off a dime sentence for murdering a few dozen Fae?”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s above your paygrade.” Logan smirked, and I resisted the urge to throw my arms around the gargoyle. Regardless of the fact that Logan seemed to trust the surly dragon, I didn’t. He seemed more likely to murder me in my sleep than keep my alive. I chased away the dismal thoughts reminding myself he had saved me—twice now.
Talon stalked over to Logan, his towering frame a few inches taller than the equally giant