Over Easy Read online

  “Me? I’m not.” I drank him in, my heart overflowing with emotion, and the bond opening his feelings to me. He looked like he’d been in a fight or a war; fatigue weighed on him along with tension and stress.

  Tears sprang to my eyes again, and I slapped them away. “I’m okay. I’ve just had a really messed up day. I met Evgeni Garin. His goon choked me out, then drugged me with something and dragged me into the woods!” I raised my hand up, motioning with each point. “And it gets better. This entire thing was arranged by Elijah, your nephew! Now, stop messing around and tell me what the hell happened to you?” I asked, throwing up a hand.

  His eyebrows shot up, and he blew out a breath. “All right. That’s fair after not talking for so long. I’ve been part of that mission I told you about. It’s over—the op—that’s all I can say. But I’m all right. I miss you.”

  He’d been on a mission here in the states? What was he doing? Who was he fighting?

  “I miss you,” I told him, swallowing hard. “Why did you cut yourself off from me? I hate that—it worries me.”

  Ashe sucked a breath in through his nose, his lips pursed. Then he shook his head, “I did it so you wouldn’t worry.”

  I tilted my head. “That makes me worry more...”

  He stared at me. “Let’s talk about this Garin situation. He was at the school? Elijah should know better than to deal with him. You look pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I nodded. “Actually, I cut my head open pretty bad, but Evgeni healed me. It would be good to know how he did it. Here, look, can you see anything? There’s not even a scar.” I pushed my hair back and leaned my head into the camera.

  “Shit. So, it’s not just a myth. I thought Dr. Weaver was full of crap. I didn’t know it was an actual thing. Hmmm… there are stories where bonded Primes could only heal each other.”

  I nodded, “Yeah, well, Evgeni says he can’t heal just anyone, which is why he thinks I’m his daughter.”

  “You don’t seem so sure?”

  “I’d like to see the results of the paternity test.” I widened my eyes. “But you! Who were you fighting? Humans? Other Dragonborn?”

  “The last one,” he groaned, picking something out of his hair.

  I frowned, “I thought you worked in intelligence?”

  “I do,” he told me, pursing his lips.

  “Well, you look like shit. Go take a shower.”

  He smirked, and his eyes searched the screen, looking at me. “I will, but promise me something. Next time anything happens—at all—you tell me, or reach out to Eondian. Got it?”

  I rolled my eyes and saluted him. “Yes, sir. And you too.”

  “I’m serious, Syd. Don’t make me worry.”

  I nodded, “Maybe I should seal you out. You know? So you don’t worry.”

  He narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “Just… Please…”

  I smiled, so happy to just look at his face, aching for him to hold me.

  But we were both exhausted, and my soldier needed to shower. Just as we were about to hang up, he asked, “What’s this about Logan Brooks?”

  My brows came together, “Logan? We’re just friends. Why?”

  His mouth formed a line. “I know his family. Stay away from him.”

  I sank into my bed, “Ashe… I can take care of myself.”

  He raised a brow, “Can you?”

  “Yes,” I protested, “Just, please don’t tell me what to do. I don’t do well with that—and you know it.”

  “I’m just trying to protect you.”

  This protection thing again?

  “I can’t make you any promises—he’s one of my only friends,” I told him. Then seeing his downcast expression, I said, “Okay. If it bothers you that much, I’ll try.”

  “It does. Thank you.” He hesitated, his eyes searching my face on the screen. “I know Elijah never meant to hurt you. He’s a good kid. Give him some slack.”

  I breathed out a sigh. “Are you defending your nephew? He’s not a little kid anymore. I am mad at him, and that’s not going away any time soon.”

  “Are you going to tell your grandmother?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know,” I breathed out.

  “Look, Syd, he’s a good kid, and I know he didn’t think…”

  I cut him off, “That’s right, Ashe, he didn’t think.” I pressed my lips together. “Maybe he should have some consequences for his actions?”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be such a hypocrite,” he told me.

  “Really? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You break the rules all the time and just expect to get away with it, but I ask you to cut Eli some slack, and you act like he murdered someone.” He shook his head.

  I angrily smirked at him, “Seriously? You put Elijah and me in the same category? At least he knows the game—he knows the rules and the players. How am I supposed to follow the rules if I don’t even know what they are!”

  “Babe…” He drew the word out in warning as if I were irrational.

  “No. Fuck you! I wasn’t going to tell my grandparents. But thanks for having so much faith in me,” I spat before ending the call on his shocked face.

  Let him stew in that.

  First, he blocks me out, then interrogates me.

  I should come first as his almost bondmate—not his nephew.

  I’d talk to him again when he called to apologize.

  15

  Elijah had been trying to talk to me all week, but I didn’t want to hear any more of his lame-ass excuses. I’d successfully avoided him until Ms. Popov’s English class, where we didn’t have assigned seats.

  Slipping into the empty desk behind me, he whispered, “Sydney! I said I’m sorry. But…I think…everybody thinks…”

  I stiffened as Eli poked my back again.

  I whipped around and hissed, “Stop it!”

  Ms. Popov stopped reading and gave us an angry stare from above the glasses perched on her nose, before continuing to read aloud to the class.

  My phone rattled on my desk, and I glanced down at it before squeezing my eyes closed.

  The beginning of Elijah’s latest text had popped up on the screen. None of us had cellular service, but we did have the internet.

  Eli: Please let me explain…

  Eli: I’m sorry, I didn’t…

  Eli: Ashe thinks that Mr…

  I sucked in a deep breath before using it to blow my hair out of my face. I didn’t want anything to do with Elijah, Evgeni, my grandparents, or Ashe at this moment.

  Did they all think I was just some stupid little girl? That I’d believe whatever they said and do whatever they wanted?

  When the bell rang, I snatched up my backpack and was already across the room by the time the other students had begun to do the same.

  Throughout the next two classes, I found my mind wandering. The Dragonborn were trouble! Ashe was the only person on my side, but he couldn’t even treat me as an equal. It had been almost a week since our argument.

  Why hadn’t he called or even texted?

  When lunchtime came, I stood at the main hall entrance, searching the sea of faces for Olivia and Nate, but neither was there.

  Logan was finishing his thesis paper, so I knew he wouldn’t be here today.

  I shook my head and let out an exasperated sigh.

  “Where are you, Liv?” I asked under my breath.

  Esther and Mai sat with Becca farther down our table, but I didn’t feel like listening to their shallow chatter.

  My mind was lost in a deep hole of thoughts, swirling me around like a twister.

  I needed Olivia; she’d know all the right things to say to help me figure things out. But I hadn’t seen her since the hike. Between studying, researching my background, and worrying about all the bullshit in my life, I hadn’t gone out of my way to hunt her down.

  Not that long ago, I would’ve gone to George with my problems. But things would never be the same between us. I
’d never call him dad again, and I’d never be that carefree girl I was just six months ago. Even if he sent for me now, I wasn’t sure I would go.

  The thoughts made my chest ache, and I turned my back on the Main Hall.

  Giving up on lunch, I crossed the alcove to the library. It had been built before the school, and many of the books dated hundreds of years old—especially in the Dragonborn section.

  As my hand ran along the smooth wood banister, I rounded the curving spiral staircase that led both up and down. Winding down into the basement where all the Dragonborn books were stored, I breathed in the rich aroma of old leatherback books and paper—that chocolatey, peppery, scent that brought me back to those hushed, sacred, halls in Europe.

  Gazing over the sections, I began reading them as I first did when Becca brought me here: Alchemy, Creatures & Animals, Lore & Mythology, Sanctuaries & Shrines, Incantations & Rituals, Dragon Species…

  And Primes.

  Slipping into one of the study nooks, I plopped my backpack on the desk to use as a pillow.

  Resting my head on my crossed arms over my bag, I tried to relax, but my mind spun. After several moments of shifting, I gave up on my nap and sat. Pulling out my laptop, I typed Evgeni Garin into the search box.

  The screen quickly populated, and I looked over my options.

  There he was, the smug bastard—looking up at me from my screen. His gray eyes hiding secrets and…

  “Evgeni Garin? Why are you looking him up?” Logan’s irreverent voice questioned me.

  I nearly shot out of my chair at his words, a hand to my chest.

  “Bloody hell Logan! You nearly scared me to death… You can’t sneak up on people like that!” Turning, I gazed at my other blond-haired problem. Evgeni Garin being one, Logan Brooks being the other.

  The Drake Prime laughed as he leaned against one of the carved pillars. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. I was just doing some last-minute biography checks,” he said, holding up a book. After setting the thick leather-bound tome down, he rested his hands on my shoulders and squeezed, beginning to knead my neck. “God! You’re so tense—Why aren’t you at lunch with Liv and Nate?”

  “Mmmmm… they weren’t there,” I breathed, as I enjoyed his touch maybe a bit more than I should.

  I should’ve told him to stop, but his touch soothed some primal need inside me, and I closed my eyes.

  When Logan’s hands dipped down to run along my arms, I pulled away, spinning to face him. “We shouldn’t… this wouldn’t…” I stumbled over the words.

  He hadn’t done anything wrong, but this just felt… inappropriate.

  I was with Ashe, and that wouldn’t change—even if we were in a fight—only, the words got stuck in my throat.

  Logan’s ever-changing hazel eyes looked bright green today as they searched my own. “Talk to me, you know I’m here for you,” he said quietly.

  Aaraeth snorted.

  Is he lying? I asked.

  This is more complicated than being a lie or not, she replied.

  I licked my dry lips and gazed back at the guy I’d nick-named Captain America. When I’d first met him, he made me think of country clubs, polo, and private jets—but now—he was just Logan, kind, helpful, and practical.

  “I’m trouble, Logan. Why do you even want to be around me?”

  The Drake Prime lifted one shoulder in response before pulling out a chair and sitting beside me. He examined the old book he’d been holding, running his finger along the worn edge. Measuring his words carefully, he didn’t meet my eye. “There’s something between us—a connection. I know you feel it. We’re both different, not like the rest of them…”

  Aaraeth groaned again, yes, yes, yes. He believes that.

  I blew out a breath.

  “Besides, everyone needs allies, even you,” he said with a sigh.

  “Logan… I can’t be more than your friend,” I whispered.

  He bit his top lip and held my gaze until I looked away. It was as if he could strip away all the layers and look into my soul. Like when he looked at me, he really saw me.

  Then my Captain America smiled, breaking the tension, pulling up a chair, and sitting on it backward.

  “Why are you researching Evgeni Garin?” He nudged my arm with his book. “Spill. You know I’ll help you.”

  “Evgeni Garin might be my biological father,” I told him, raising my eyebrows and looking for a reaction.

  Logan narrowed his eyes. “Really? Wow. He would not have been my first guess. Garin’s a businessman, works with all the Silicon Valley tycoons and Hollywood types in California. He’s pretty active in the Elibera.”

  It was my turn to frown, “What else do you know?”

  His lips pressed together in a tight frown before he spoke. “Not much, he’s known for being shady and kind of a douche. Why do you think he’s your dad?”

  “Well, other than the fact that he drugged me and pulled me off the trail when I was hiking and told me so… he’s also my mother’s bondmate,” I said dryly, giving Logan a sarcastic smile.

  His eyebrows shot up. “What?! When did this happen? Oh my god! There are so many things to unwrap in what you just said. Where was Taya?”

  I shook my head, “It happened when I hiked back up from the hot springs. As for Taya, she wasn’t there—and she’ll go ballistic if she finds out. She’s been giving me space, and I don’t want to mess it up.”

  Logan shook his head, his arms wide. “Jeez. I knew I should’ve gone with you. Oh my god! Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me?” He squeezed my arm. “You’ve got to tell Taya. She’s supposed to be working for you, not giving you space. She’s not your babysitter. She’s your guard. This is why she was hired—to protect you! She shouldn’t be slacking off!”

  I leaned back in my chair, sighing. And… here it was—male protection showing its ugly head. But for some reason, it didn’t feel as condescending as when Ashe did it.

  “I…” Four consecutive chirps sounded, and my eyes darted to my phone. The texts stacked one on top of the other.

  Liv: I am soooooo sorry for leaving you unread!

  Liv: I have so much to tell you!

  Liv: I promise you’ll forgive me once I do! ☺

  I blew out a breath. Olivia was a much safer friend to confide in than Logan.

  Liv: Where are you?

  Quickly, I typed back.

  Me: Library

  Liv: Okay. Meet me in the first-floor girls’ room asap.

  Me: On my way!

  Logan looked at me expectantly, and I knew he’d been close enough to read the texts.

  “It’s Liv. I’ve got to go, but will you please promise me something?”

  “Sure, anything,” he said, his eyes wide with concern.

  “Please don’t breathe a word about this Evgeni thing to anyone. He was just trying to reach out to me.” I didn’t want to tell him about Elijah’s role because the two guys were already at each other’s throats.

  “Just be careful. And remember, I’m here if you need me.” The Drake Prime pursed his lips as he watched me gather my things.

  I nodded before weaving through the stacks back to the central aisle and up the curving staircase.

  On my way up the steps, I took a detour into the yearbook section. I hadn’t looked in weeks, but for some reason felt compelled to search today. It was like meeting Evgeni seemed to reignite my curiosity about Celine again. Maybe she did love me, and perhaps that’s why she didn’t tell Evgeni. Maybe George wasn’t lying when he said that my mother wanted to keep me away from the Dragonborn. Weirdly, his crazy ramblings that I’d been so afraid to face were becoming more realistic.

  I’d given George another chance. I could give my mother a second chance, as well.

  With my fingers sliding along the spines, I checked the shelf for the missing yearbook. But it was still gone. I hadn’t looked at it in weeks. If someone had taken the book to keep me from seeing something inside, then they most likely got
rid of it.

  My mary-janes clicked along on hardwood as I walked down the first-floor corridor in Wyvern Hall. That smell of pencil shavings, chalk, and books was sharpened by the eerie quiet of lunchtime.

  Inside the girls’ bathroom, Olivia leaned against the counter, a smile curving her lips.

  Resting my hand on my hips, I tried to give her a stern expression.

  “This had better be good,” I chided.

  Her eyes flicked to mine before she pocketed her phone. Holding her hands up in defense, she could barely keep the smile from her lips.

  “I know, I know, but when you hear what I have to say, you’ll forgive me for missing lunch with you. Nate and I…did it.” she widened her eyes at me, watching for my response.

  “Did what?” I asked.

  She tilted her head from side to side. “You know… it.”

  I raised my eyebrows, my mouth forming an O. “Oh…it. Really?”

  A squeak left her closed-lip smile, and she nodded. “Yup… So, you know how we were in a fight?”

  “You were in a fight?” I asked, scratching my head.

  “Well… we made uuuuuu—up,” she sang the last word. “He got a key to the guest house, and we stayed there until this morning. Then… well, we had to sneak back again this morning…”

  If my eyebrows could go any higher up, they’d be off my face. “The guest house?”

  “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you? With Ashe?” She asked, her flawless skin glowing in the lights that only made me look pale and sullen.

  I barked out a laugh, “I don’t know... maybe. Did it… did it hurt?”

  Liv screwed up her face and playfully swatted at me. “Oh, Sydney! I wasn’t a virgin.”

  “Oh? Oooooh!” I said in surprise.

  She giggled. “Oh, you are… Well, if our places were reversed, I’d be drilling you with questions.” Liv cocked her head to the side. “What do you want to know?”

  I did have like a million questions, but the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch.

  Olivia had a cat-ate-the-canary smile on her face as she pushed open the door. “Later. I’ll fill you in on all the details.”