Hidden Monster

by Amanda Strong

“It’s not hard. You are overthinking it,” Blake said, standing in front of me, his legs shoulder-width apart and his arms clasped behind his back.

  “Easy for you to say, you’ve been doing it for years,” I muttered, getting frustrated with Blake’s impatience with me. “I’m trying,” I said, holding my hands up. My skinny fingers remained flesh colored and painfully visible.

  “Let me have a go at it, Blake. Sammy listens to me,” Mack said with a crooked grin.

  I made a face at Mack. “You are no help either. Listen, I just can’t do it, okay! Maybe my special formula’s missing the camo bit and that’s what made it special.”

  Blake seemed to consider me for a moment. Since he’d returned from his fruitless search, which had ended in a dead end, he’d been nothing but agitated, pacing back and forth, wringing his hands together, cursing in some language I didn’t understand, and demanding I learn camo. It had started out with him gently taking my arms and explaining how easy it was, but after thirty minutes of unsuccessful attempts, he’d turned all drill sergeant on me. I knew deep down, it was because he wanted to protect me.

  But now we’d been at it for over an hour, and I’d turned tired, cranky, and hungry.

  Mack shook his head. “Tonbo wouldn’t allow that to be taken out of any of his formulas, no matter what the beast might have done to it. The chameleon DNA has been in there forever. That can’t be it.”

  “Mack’s right, Sam. You can do it. It’s a part of who you are. All you have to do is—”

  “Think of my surroundings, think about what I’m touching, feelings, smelling, I know, Blake, I know. You’ve told me a thousand times. It’s not working, okay? I’ve been trying! Don’t you think I want it to work just as much as you?” My voice hitched up an octave with every second. Uh oh… female hormones are taking over, and not in a good way! My eyes were stinging, and my throat closing up. I’m going to cry. Great, just great.

  Blake’s eyes widened, and his stance relaxed. “Sorry, Sam. I’m pushing you too hard. How can you do anything starving to death?”

  “How did you…?” I began asking

  “Know? Because you just flew harder and longer than you probably ever have,” Blake answered.

  “And flying does stir up quite the appetite,” Mack confirmed, rubbing his stomach. “How about some fishing?”

  “Another time, Mack. Until she can camo, it’s just too dangerous. Let’s head back. Your family is probably wondering where you’re at, Sam.”

  “What time is it?” I asked, realizing the daylight was fading for the first time.

  “It’s about five,” Blake answered. He glanced around and said, “Okay, I think we probably made a statement in the skies earlier. We should be fine flying back to my car at least. But keep alert,” he added to Mack.

  Mack nodded and was airborne. He flew fast in several directions, and then returned.

  “Coast is clear,” he announced.

  “Mack has an uncanny sense of smell,” Blake said. “If he says we’re good, we’re good.”

  “Okay,” I said, smelling the air for myself. No rotten potatoes; just warm honey and the woods after the rain, Blake. And if I focused, I picked up on the hint of ginger, or perhaps cloves, Mack.

  Blake levitated but didn’t take off. He was clearly waiting for me to lift off, but I felt completely drained. Still, I pushed my wings into action and rose next to him.

  “I still can’t believe you guys had to fight off dragons in the first place. What did they want, anyway?” I asked, ignoring the fatigue settling into every ounce of me.

  Blake looked surprised. “Don’t you know? They wanted you, Sam. Your scent’s enough to drive any dragon crazy.”

  I gaped at him. “Are you being serious?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes danced back at me.

  “So four dragons showed up just to smell me?” I asked, giggling. Maybe it was the effect of my adrenaline fading, leaving me exhausted that brought on the laughter. Either way, what they were saying just sounded ridiculous. I knew I could pick up others’ scents too, but that didn’t mean I actively hunted them down for that.

  “Four? More like thirty,” Mack snickered, staying just ahead of us as we flew.

  I gasped. “Thirty?”

  “I don’t know, I think Mack’s being modest. Thirty wouldn’t have gotten close enough to give me these.” Blake gestured to the scrapes on his arms. “I’d bet it was at least fifty.”

  I wanted to snicker at his exaggeration, but I wasn’t sure he was joking. I’d seen enough of the guys now to know that they were formidable opponents.

  “For shizzer,” Mack sang, flying on his back so he could face us. “Got to get you indoors Sammy. You’re too delish for the taking.”

  I snorted at Mack. “Whatever.” He flipped back around and flew ahead, chuckling.

  Still, what they said worried me. How can there be so many dragons in Durango? It’s not a huge city. Just how many Dragon Fae are out there anyway? I hadn’t realized I’d lagged behind Blake until I felt his arms wrap around me, pulling me close to him.

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Can’t resist my scent either, huh?”

  Blake wasn’t grinning, though. If anything, his face appeared concerned. “You are irresistible, but it’s not that. You’re exhausted; let me fly you back.”

  I wanted to protest, but he was right. My joints ached, my limbs felt like dead weight hanging from my body, and my wings protested every flap.

  “Okay, just this once,” I said, semi-hoping he wouldn’t hold me to that agreement. I let him secure me against him, one arm tucked under my knees, and the other holding me firmly to his chest. His bare chest. So tempting… oh, why not? I caved and leaned my face against his skin. Almost instantly, my eyes fell shut. I was sort of surprised his hard muscles could be so comfortable. The air slapping against my body soothed me, lulling me to sleep like a cradled baby. I felt safe in his arms. Blake will do whatever it takes to keep me safe. He’s been doing it since he saved me from drowning. He loves me.

  Something within me stirred—an exuberance I hadn’t ever felt before. A part of me felt thrilled I trusted him again. Must be the damsel in me. Well, that makes two of us! I wanted to say to her. I grinned, realizing how silly that sounded, and nestled my face into Blake’s chest. He responded by tightening his grip on my body. I couldn’t stop myself from falling deeper into the grogginess. Guess Blake knew I was about to pass out.

  As the dream world tugged at my consciousness, my own breathing deep and even, I felt Blake’s lips brush the top of my forehead, his kiss leaving a fire behind. I yearned to tilt my head up and let his lips make their way to my mouth.

  But Mack’s words sliced through the air. “So? Was it one?”

  Blake’s body stiffened, and a moment passed. He must be deciding whether to answer. Hopefully, he thinks I’m asleep. Then I felt his voice rumbled against my cheek. “Tonbo lied. It’s definitely a bug and damn it all, it’s hunting Sam.”