Smoked - Mari Mancusi Page 0,80

I dedicated my entire life to you long ago and promised to do anything to keep you safe. And I will keep that promise if you ask me. But right now, it’s Scarlet who needs me, and I want to be there for her.”

Trinity was quiet for a moment, and Caleb’s heart ached as silence stretched out between them. Half of him couldn’t believe he’d just said that. The other half felt an overwhelming relief that it had finally been said.

“You really like her, don’t you?” Trinity said at last.

He gave her a helpless look. “I think I love her,” he admitted. “I’m sorry, Trinity. God, even saying that makes me feel like a disloyal bastard. I’ll always love you, you know. That’ll never change. But Scarlet…”

Trinity waved him off before he could finish. Which was for the best, since he had no idea what he’d been planning to say.

“Of course I won’t make you leave,” she said roughly. “But, Caleb, be careful, okay? If you guys run into trouble—any trouble—just call me and I’ll come for you. And Scarlet too, of course. Just promise me you’ll stay alive. I’ve lost too many people in my life. I cannot lose you too.”

“Please,” he said, his voice as shaky as it was sarcastic. “You should know better than anyone, I’m not that easy to kill.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

So Trinity and Emmy headed out, back on the quest to find dragon and Hunter. It felt very strange to be on her own again, Trinity thought, without Connor or Caleb by her side. Even stranger to realize it hadn’t been her choice this time. Once upon a time, both boys had dedicated their lives to her; now they both had other priorities. Connor had chosen his mission. Caleb had chosen Scarlet. And Trinity was, once again, on her own.

Come on. Aren’t I enough for you, Fire Kissed?

Trinity startled at the sudden voice teasing through her head. “Emmy?” she cried, her pulse kicking up in surprise. “Did you just read my mind?”

The dragon also seemed to startle. She turned to look at Trin, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. I guess I did! she exclaimed. Quick! Think something else to see if I can hear it.

I love you, Emmy.

The dragon sighed. I love you too.

Trinity reached down, wrapping her arms around her and squeezing her tight. Are you okay? she asked her when she’d released her. We took off so quickly, I didn’t really get a chance to ask you how you felt about everything.

I don’t know. I guess I’m…sad, Emmy admitted after a pause. It’s so strange. For so long now, I thought they were already dead. And I was okay with that. At least I thought I was. But last night, after we talked, I got to thinking about what it would be like to be their mother for real. To nurture them, to teach them, to show them how to be dragons—something I never had from my own mother. And I guess, well, I guess I kind of got excited. When I finally allowed myself to think about would it could be like—she closed her eyes for a moment, her wings still steadily flapping in the air—I thought it could be good. Really good. Not just for them…but for me as well.

Trinity’s heart ached at the pain she heard in the dragon’s voice. “It would have been,” she agreed. “And maybe it still can be. Zoe might be dead. But Zavier’s still alive. If we can reach him… If we can make him see—”

Her words were cut off as her walkie-talkie burst to life. “Trinity! Come in, Trinity!” She grabbed it from her pocket and put it to her mouth.

“What is it?” she asked.

“A sudden surge of 911 calls, coming from the town of Callaway. Fire trucks have been dispatched. We’re not sure if it’s related—no one’s emailed us yet. But…”

In a juggling act, Trinity stuffed the walkie in her pocket, then reached for her cell phone, wishing dragons came with integrated GPS. After checking the map, she swapped devices again. “We’re really close,” she told him. “We’ll go check it out now.” She stuffed the walkie-talkie back in her pocket and turned to her dragon. “Emmy, head north, okay?”

Emmy obeyed, shifting slightly to change trajectories, flying toward the town. As they grew nearer, they saw it: a cloud of thick smoke billowing in the air. Trinity scanned the skies, searching for Zavier, adrenaline surging in her blood.

It could be just a brush