Twilight of Embers (Dragons of Ember Hollow, #1)

by Tessa Hale

I wanted to hunt. To kill. I needed to end the threat to my mate. To make him suffer for thinking he could ever touch her.

The shift was pleasure and pain in equal measure, but when you fought it happening, it was only pain.

knew if I let my beast free right now, he’d go straight for the diner. He’d rip the asshole to shreds and then take Hayden and never let her go.

Agony ripped through me. It wasn’t just fighting the shift now; it was knowing that I was hurting my brother by not keeping it together. But the pain helped. It gave me a fraction more control. Knox gritted his teeth. “It’s going to be a period of adjustment. We’ll all be more possessive than normal at first. More protective. But we’ll find our rhythm again.” My breathing eased a fraction as I sat back on my heels. Easton shook his head. “It’ll be a disaster. It’s going to end us.”

“We’re not Ryan. What happened to him isn’t going to happen to us.” Easton’s gaze went gold.

Easton just scoffed. “You might like to think you control the universe, but you don’t. Anything could happen to her. When the supernatural community finds out what she is…” Easton’s words trailed off, but I knew what he was going to say. When people found out the truth, they’d want Hayden for themselves, to use her in any number of ways. “That’s why we’re going to protect her,” Knox snapped. “How?” Easton challenged. I pushed to my feet. “We bring her back to the compound. We can keep her safe there.” He turned to me. “And what are you going to tell her to get her there?”

Easton’s jaw tightened. “She could be latent. This could all be for nothing.” It wouldn’t matter if Hayden never shifted. She’d still be the most important being on the planet to me. But I didn’t think that would be a problem. “I sensed power in her. Immense strength.”

away. Trying to get safe. “Càit a bheil a' bhana-phrionnsa?” The voice bellowed into the night around me. Fear stabbed at me. I knew he was getting closer. Close enough that he could end me just like he ended my mother. A roar sounded from the sky, and my gaze flew upward. A massive silvery-white dragon sailed through the sky. I should’ve been terrified, but I wasn’t. The beast swooped down over me, landing in the path. The man skidded to a halt. “Drágon adhair,” he spat. The giant creature opened his mouth, and a silver fire flew out, engulfing the man in flames. He screamed and writhed, but the dragon made no move to help him. Instead, he turned to me.

The white dragon moved closer and closer. As he did, I saw that his body was riddled with scars. Each one sliced at my heart. I wanted to lay my hands on each one. To heal them.

When I’d gotten home from work last night, she’d pounced. I guessed word had already made the rounds about the scene with Cáel. Delaney had accused me of lying, saying I had to know the guys from somewhere else because there was no reason they’d be so protective of me otherwise.

I came up short as a hulking figure stood from his perch at one of the tables outside my dorm. Cáel really had the Viking look going for himself today.

My heart squeezed at the massive man’s struggle. He was trying so hard.

A smile spread across Cáel’s face. It was a little rough around the edges, as if he didn’t make the motion often. “I like chocolate, too.”

“What are you majoring in?” Cáel’s light blue gaze flicked to me. “Engineering.” “Oh. Wow. That has to be intense.” He shrugged. “I like it. Black-and-white answers.”

The jacket I’d had for the past three years had been warm enough for Seattle, but I had to admit it wasn’t quite doing the job in this higher elevation. “I’m going to get one after I get my first paycheck.” There had to be a thrift shop around here somewhere that I could find a good deal. Cáel’s scowl only deepened. “You should get one now. You don’t want to get sick.” I chuckled at his grumpiness. “You’re giving Mr. Grumpy Cat a run for his money.” His spine snapped straight. “Huh?” “Easton. He’s always scowling and hissing.

A group of guys approached us on the sidewalk, and one dipped his head in greeting. Cáel let out a low growl, and the guy’s eyes widened as he stumbled out of our path. I turned to my giant friend. “What was that about?” “They were too close,” he gritted out. I reached up, resting a hand on his arm. “He was just being friendly. I’m perfectly fine. I promise. And I know how to protect myself if someone wasn’t friendly.”

There were more than a few familiar faces dotting the space. But none of them had gotten to even what I’d call acquaintance status. It seemed like a lot of students were keeping their distance from me. But that didn’t stop their staring. Opening my notebook, I jotted down the date and Psychology 101.

As much as I’d hoped Easton’s warning to the guys in the diner had meant a softening toward me, that clearly wasn’t the case. It was also obvious that he’d left any and all science requirements for the end of his school years if he was stuck in my classes. His eyes narrowed on me. So, I did the only thing a mature person would do. I flipped him off.

Throughout the class, Professor Brent’s eyes would land on me. Each time, they made me shiver, and not in a pleasant way. By the time the bell rang, my stomach was in knots. After this semester, I’d simply switch advisors and make sure I didn’t take another class with Brent. I just had to make it through this term.

“Hayden, a moment please,” Professor Brent said. That twisting sensation was back in my stomach. “Yes, Professor?” He watched as students filed out behind me. “I thought you were taking your studies seriously?” I frowned. “I am.” “Then, why were you sitting in practically the back row? I’d think a serious student would be sitting in the front row.” My mouth went dry. Everything in me was screaming that I needed distance from this man. “I see better from the middle of the classroom. It’s more comfortable on my neck.”

“Hayden, you ready?” a deep voice called from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Easton standing there, a hard gaze locked on Professor Brent. I glanced back at the professor. “Did you need anything else?” Brent glared at Easton and then turned back to me. “Be sure to email me to set up our next meeting.”

dorm. I have a shift at Spark’s.” Knox frowned. “What time are you off?” “Five. Fiona has the dinner rush covered.” A grin spread across his face. “Perfect. I’ll pick you up at the dorm at six.” It was my turn to frown. “For what?” “You’re coming to dinner at my house. All my brothers will be there, even Cillian.”

“I just need time to study.” His mouth thinned. “Okay. I can study with you this weekend if you want. We can hole up in the library and only break for food.” Something shifted inside me. I couldn’t remember if I’d ever had a friend who would offer to do that with me. Only, friendship wasn’t exactly what I felt for Knox. For any of them. I shoved that thought down.

Their House