The dragon raised an eyebrow. “You seem glad. That is . . . curious.”
“Can you show me how to find him?”
The dragon took a step to Layla’s right, walking around her in a slow, purposeful circle. “You are an interesting human, that is true, but still a human. My answer is—” Soolan lunged at her. Darting his neck out he snapped his teeth inches from her face. “No.”
He reared his giant head and puffed up his chest. Layla turned away, covering her head in what she had to know was a useless defense.
“Now, Raynor,” Dralazar said.
Raynor obediently flew out of the bubble and landed between Layla and Soolan, flaring his wings behind him. Soolan’s mouth was already open—but seeing Raynor, the dragon jerked his head to the side, spraying fire across the rocks and boulders.
Layla blinked, slowly lowering a quivering arm. The rocks to her right glowed red from the inside out.
“Raynor,” Soolan roared. “Move.”
Raynor took a step back, spreading his wings to further shield Layla from view.
“She mine, Raynor. She’s a human, a filthy human. I will not let another human live, not on my land.”
Although this was terribly entertaining, intervention was necessary. Dragons were so blasted unpredictable. Dralazar dropped his bubble. “I am afraid you will, Soolan.”
Layla whirled around and her eyes lit with excitement. “Dralazar!”
Dralazar ignored her. “This human is with me, and you will not harm her. Are we clear?”
Soolan’s eyes narrowed. Refusing to answer, he spread his wings and pushed himself into the sky.
Dralazar watched him fly away, trying to determine whether he should punish his insolence or not. Instead he turned his attention to Layla and said, “Dragons have terrible tempers, especially where humans are concerned.” Walking nearer he asked, “Tell me, Layla, why have you come?”
“I—I was lost,” she murmured.
Dralazar’s mouth turned up into a half smile. Stepping closer he put his finger under Layla’s chin, pulling her eyes up to meet his. “Let’s drop our pretenses shall we?” He lowered his hand but kept the smile. “You didn’t wander into this barren wasteland on accident. You know I lied to you and yet here you are, happy to see me. And since you must know that Kiora is indeed the Solus—” Layla flinched at the phrase, “that makes me . . .” Dralazar’s voice trailed off, waiting for Layla to audibly put together the pieces. He wanted to hear her say it.
“Evil,” Layla murmured, dropping her eyes as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Yes. And if you choose to side with me—” He stuck his fingers back under her chin, pulling her eyes up to meet his more forcefully this time. “Everything will change.”
“Why are you telling me this?” she whispered, swallowing hard.
“Because,” he said, wrapping his thumb and finger around her chin, dragging her face closer to his until their lips nearly touched. “You already knew what I was and . . . you came anyway.” He pronounced the last words purposefully. Layla shivered as his breath came in short bursts across her lips.
“What if—what if I don’t want to side with evil?” Layla’s voice halted, her eyes looking down. “What if I just want . . .”
Dralazar abruptly dropped his hand, taking a step back. His voice changed from the soft coo he had been using to a clipped one. “Then you should go back to your charred village and find whatever survivors you can. After that you should crawl to your sister and beg her forgiveness.”
Layla’s anger flared. “Never.”
Leaning forward, Dralazar dropped his voice into a more seductive cadence. “Then work with me, let me teach you what you are capable of. Together, we can teach Kiora a lesson.”
“Why would you want me?”
“You have power, Layla. Can’t you feel it? How do you think you got yourself here?” Dralazar’s eyebrows rose in question. “You followed my thread. I can train you, teach you how to use your magic.”
“Magic?” Layla took a startled step backwards.
“Yes, magic. You can finally be on equal footing with Kiora.” That was a lie. Leaning forward, Dralazar laid his cheek against hers and whispered in her ear. “You are a beautiful girl, Layla.”
Layla let out a tiny gasp.
“I noticed it the first time I saw you,” he murmured, running his finger down her cheek. “Beautiful . . . smart.”
Layla blushed furiously, her eyes darting to the ground before looking back at his face. “Really?” she said weakly.
“So much prettier than Kiora,” Dralazar said, turning his head to the side as he brushed Layla’s