Creatures of Chaos (Creatures of Chaos, #1)

by Julie Hall

But normal students have magic. I do not.

They can watch me bleed, but they’ll never see me cry.

Most creatures come into their magic at around eight or nine, before puberty starts. There are rare instances where a kid reaches ten or eleven before presenting their magic, but creature powers always manifest well before their teen years. Always. Without exception. Except me.

He’s the most powerful dragon shifter in our generation.

auburn.

“Creatures underestimate you. Use that,”

“It was just dumb luck you made it through this trial alive. You’ll never make it through the rest of them, and I won’t be there to save you.”

Dumb Becks

I’ll always be there for you. To the depths of hell or the heights of the heavens. It’s you and me against the world. Always.”

I lived a hundred different lives in this library and wished each time that I’d magically fall into a story and never escape.

“Freckles, with you I’m learning to expect the unexpected.”

“It’s not that I just don’t like seeing you in someone else’s arms, it’s that it’s agony for me to see you there when I know there’s no one else’s arms you should be in but mine.”

That was the single best moment of my life, and if he tries to take it back I may not survive.

This kiss is so much more than just the result of pent-up physical attraction. This kiss is everything. It’s slow and decadent and makes my toes curl. It’s an expression of the depths of our emotions. The depths of our desires. It’s everything I never knew I needed, and I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life.

“You shouldn’t settle for someone who doesn’t accept you for who you are. You need someone who sees you. Really sees you and recognizes that you are enough, more than enough, just the way you are. It’s not magic that makes the creature powerful, it’s the strength of their character and the depth of their soul, and you, Freckles, are the most powerful creature I’ve ever met. If that pathetic excuse for a dragon heir doesn’t recognize how powerful, strong, and beautiful you are, he’s not worth your time, let alone your life.”

“You’d be a fool to change one thing about yourself. You’re already perfect.”

“Just for the record, Freckles, I wasn’t saying that you wouldn’t win because you weren’t capable of doing so. In a lot of ways you’re the strongest creature I’ve ever met, a true fighter. I said that you wouldn’t win because there’s no scenario where I don’t win the dagger back. I have to, because failure in this situation isn’t an option.”

“That’s right. For our Natural Chemistry class. We’re doing a project on objects in nature and their natural attractions to each other. It’s going to take a couple of late nights, but I’m sure we’ll get the assignment banged out soon enough.”

Your dragon heir has a choice. He just wants his cake and to eat it too. And you’re letting him.”

Oh Becks...

“Haven’t we always taught you a creature’s worth is measured by far more than the level of their magic? What use is a powerful creature who’s lacking in character?”

“Don’t you realize that you often have to fight for the things most worth having?”

“You’re worth fighting for.”

A motorcycle curves around the bend in the distance, its sleek chrome pieces flashing in the moonlight as the rider

Of course he has a motorcycle

Now that we’re past the curves, I try loosening my hold on him, but as soon as I relax my grip Talon hits the gas and I have to clamp back around him to keep from jolting back.

“And miss the feeling of you holding on to me for dear life? Never.”

“You’re even cuter when you’re feisty.” You’ve got to be kidding me. Now he’s hitting on me? “I love your freckles, Freckles. I wanna kiss each one of them.”

“The first time we kiss, Freckles, it won’t be to make another guy jealous. It’ll be because we can’t live another second without tasting each other’s lips. I’m a patient creature. I can wait.”