Smoked - Mari Mancusi Page 0,25

like a cautious smile.

Instead of smiling back, Emmy jerked away, looking horrified and disgusted. Then she turned her head, refusing to look down at her daughter. Scarlet watched, her heart breaking as Zoe’s face crumbled and she retreated back to the safety of her shoulder. She could hear the dragon making little whimpers in her ear, and it made her want to cry. She reached up, stroking her gently.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Trust me, I know what it feels like. It’s not you, okay? It’s her.”

Her mind flashed to countless nights growing up, when her brother, Mac, would whisper the same kinds of things in her own ears. She knew all too well the pain of being rejected by one’s mother. And it killed her to see Zoe going through it now.

She turned back to Emmy, fury building up inside of her like an active volcano. What the hell is wrong with you? she demanded, all her earlier pity for the dragon evaporating in an instant. These are your children, Emmy. Not some evil monsters. I mean, just look at them! They’re sweet and helpless, and they deserve a chance to live. Just like Trinity gave you when you were their size. Should she have just killed you when she had the chance as well?

Yes, Emmy replied in a flat voice. If she had, these monsters would have never been born.

Scarlet shook her head, giving up. There was obviously no use trying to argue with the dragon; she had made up her mind. Just more proof that she had changed in her time in captivity, whether the others wanted to believe it or not. The old Emmy would have embraced her children. She would have done anything to save them. The new Emmy—the one who had been abused and broken in the government cage—well, with her, all bets were off.

And in a way, Scarlet did grudgingly understand. Emmy had been impregnated against her will—maybe even without her knowledge. And these babies were the result of that crime. It was understandable that she would have a hard time accepting them as her own, seeing as they represented everything she was trying to forget.

But these babies weren’t to blame for the government’s actions. And they shouldn’t be forced to give up their lives to pay for someone else’s crimes.

She drew in a breath. Emmy, why don’t you go home? she told the dragon. You don’t need to be here to see this.

The dragon looked at her hesitantly. And you’ll take care of them? she asked. And then come back home? Will you be able to find your way?

Yes. I have my phone and it has GPS. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.

At first, Emmy looked as if she might argue. But then, to Scarlet’s relief, she nodded her head. Okay, she said. I’ll let you get started. But remember your promise. You can use the blood to heal Caleb, but you are not to speak of this to anyone. No one can know these creatures ever existed in the first place.

“Sure, no problem,” Scarlet agreed quickly, wanting to get the dragon out of there before Emmy started second-guessing herself and wanted to stay. “I won’t say a word. Now go on. Before Trinity realizes you’re gone and gets worried.”

Emmy flinched at the mention of her former Fire Kissed, which Scarlet had been hoping for. She wondered again why it was so important to the dragon for Trinity not to know about her offspring. What would Trinity do if she found out they existed? Would she want to save them like she’d saved Emmy? Or would she believe, as the dragon did, that they had some crazy apocalyptic destiny?

Emmy bowed her head. Thank you, she said. You are a good friend, Scarlet. I will not forget this.

Nor will I, Emmy, Scarlet replied, though her meaning was a little different. Now go. I’ll see you back at the hangar.

And with that, Emmy raised her head and pushed off on her back feet, launching herself into the sky. Scarlet watched her go, a sick feeling worming through her stomach.

“Someday you’ll thank me for this,” she muttered under her breath. “And if not, well, it’ll be your loss.”

She turned to the two baby dragons who’d hopped off her shoulders and flown to the edge of the cliff, watching their mother’s silhouette fade into the distance. Zoe sank to the ground first, letting out a small, mournful cry. Zavier landed next to her, putting a wing around her