Smoked - Mari Mancusi Page 0,44

What the rest of them would say. No one was going to want to risk rearing these babies to puberty just to find out for sure—it was too dangerous, they’d argue. There was far too much risk. They’d worked so hard to try to save the world. They weren’t about to let two scaled, ticking time bombs have the opportunity to go off now.

But what if they were wrong and Scarlet was right? What if these two dragons were the first purebloods to be naturally born into this new world? What if, with the right care and respect, they’d grow into law-abiding dragons like Emmy, instead of monsters ready to burn down the world? All the gifts they could bring mankind. Unlike Emmy, they still had their soft scales. Their blood could be studied, made into medicine—possibly bring about the cure for cancer.

He thought of his mother, how dragon’s blood had saved her life. How many more potential lives could be saved by allowing these two dragons to live? It was the very reason he’d agreed to come back in time in the first place. He’d wanted to save the world.

Could these dragons be the key to doing it?

Caleb felt movement against his leg and opened his eyes. Zavier had approached him and was pushing his little snout against his knee. Against his better judgment, he found himself dropping to the creature’s level, putting out his hand, an ache rising inside of him as he felt the warm dragon breath tickling his palm. Then he reached out, stroking Zavier behind the ear, in the very same spot Fred had always liked best.

Zavier looked up at him with happy puppy-dog eyes, and pleasurable noises gurgled from his throat. Caleb’s heart panged with a mixture of sorrow and joy, a new thought whispering across his mind. If this actually worked… If the dragons truly were pure…

He could have his own dragon again.

He could have a second chance.

Once upon a time, he’d failed to save Fred. He’d watched helplessly as his brother struck her down. But this time—this time, it could be different. He could be in control. He could keep Scarlet’s secret, and the two of them could observe the dragons until they hit puberty. He knew what to look for; the Dracken had taught him well. And if they did start to show signs of hybridity, he knew how to take them down.

He realized Scarlet was still watching him, a worried look on her face. Her hands wringing together in front of her as she waited for what he was going to say.

“Come on,” he said. “These two guys are filthy. Let me show you the proper way to clean their scales. And then,” he added, giving Zavier a knowing look, “we’ll work on some proper food gathering. The way they’re growing, there’s no way they’ll be content living off cafeteria scraps for long.”

Scarlet’s face broke out into a look of pure joy. She threw her arms around Caleb, squeezing him tightly. “Thank you!” she cried, the tears raining down her cheeks and onto his shoulders. “Thank you so much. I was so scared to tell anyone after the way Emmy acted. But it’s been so much work—I’m so glad to not have to do it on my own anymore.”

“I know,” he assured her. “And I’m happy to help. But you’re right not to mention anything to the others. At least not right now. They might not understand.”

“I won’t say a word,” she promised, her eyes shining. She left him to reach down for Zoe again, cuddling the dragon in her arms. “Come on, baby girl. We’re going to give you a bath.”

Zoe cooed and nipped playfully at her ear, causing Scarlet to giggle. The sound was like a ray of light bouncing happily around the room. And Caleb couldn’t help a small smile of his own as a warmth settled in his stomach.

Yes, this was the right thing to do. The only thing to do.

He looked down at Zavier, then held out his arm. The dragon flapped his little black wings, fluttering up and perching himself on Caleb’s shoulder, his sharp nails digging into his skin. Caleb gave him a small pat on his feet.

“I guess it’s me and you, Sparky,” he said. “Just don’t make me sorry I saved your ass, okay?”

Zavier croaked in response, burping a small ball of fire and singeing the hairs on Caleb’s neck.

He groaned and shook his head. Dragons. Then he laughed. “Fine. I’ll