Finding Faith (Return 0f The Dragons Book 1)

by Grace Brennan

  Amazing wasn’t even the word for it. Mouthwatering, knee weakening, sexy as all get out—he was all those and more, but she couldn’t tell him that. Not on a first date.

  Thinking of this as a date made a tinge of fear slither through her veins, but she ignored it. She was determined to put her past behind her, to live in the present. To look to the future.

  To find her faith again.

  She met his eyes, something in her soul settling as she gazed into his chocolate brown depths. Cody was a huge part of why she was starting to find her faith, whether he realized it or not.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked, still holding her eyes.

  “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  He waved his arm, gesturing for her to go first. As she did, her mind was caught on her previous thought. Cody was helping her more than he knew—but her? She was lying to him.

  There was so much he didn’t know about her. And not letting him in on the kidnapping, being held for auction, all of that, was excusable. Even though it felt differently, they hadn’t known each other for long—not enough for those kinds of revelations.

  But the biggest fib—or omission—was that she hadn’t told him she was a shifter.

  And not just any kind of shifter. A dragon.

  But how did she bring that up without making him run? How did she know when it would be the right time to tell him?

  And how the hell was she supposed to give her all to exploring whatever this was between them when she was keeping a secret that big?

  Cody walked fast, beating her to the truck to he could open the door for her. He held out his hand to help her inside, and for a moment, she stared at it with surprise.

  Honestly, she hadn’t been on all that many dates, but how many of those had acted like a gentleman? Like Cody was now?

  That was an easy answer. None.

  Forgetting her dilemma as the butterflies in her belly intensified, she placed her hand in his without hesitation. The bolt of electricity that shot through her was a shock to her system, even though she’d half expected it.

  Every single freakin’ nerve ending came alive at his touch.

  It’d been hard to get used to at first, but she thought she could quickly come to crave it.

  Once she was in the truck and settled, he shut the door and jogged around. As he started it and turned around in the driveway, his scent filled her nose, tugging at a place she hadn’t even known existed.

  Warm, spicy male, yet still a clean scent, reaching inside her and making her attraction to him that much more potent.

  They spent the drive to the theater in silence, but she kept stealing glances at him as she tried to process what she was feeling for him—and she had a feeling he was doing the same.

  He pulled into the drive-in and paid their admission, refusing her offer to pay her own way. Once they were parked, he turned in his seat to look at her.

  “Let’s go get some refreshments before the movie starts. I don’t want to miss any of it.”

  Realizing she’d been so focused on him that she hadn’t paid attention to what was playing, she glanced around, finding the title on the screen.

  Casablanca.

  He brought her to see Casablanca, one of the greatest movies of all time—and he didn’t want to miss any of it. Damn, that was endearing.

  How was it possible that she was falling for him like this so soon?

  Wait. Falling for him?

  Better believe it. You have been since the moment you saw him, you just weren’t ready to admit it yet. Don’t let the revelation scare you and set you back. Embrace it. Embrace him.

  Olivia was still trying to get used to this new, more solemn version of her dragon. It was throwing her off, but she had to admit, her animal was right. And maybe her dragon knew she needed the advice more right now than she needed the sarcasm and jokes.

  Glancing at Cody, she nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  She opened her door and hopped out, pretending to ignore the frown he gave her for not letting him help her. She loved the gentlemanly side of him, she really did, but if she could do it herself, there was no reason not to.

  After they got their snacks and drinks, they settled back into the truck just as the movie started. True to his word, he was focused on Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, but even still, she knew down to her core that he was just as focused on her, too.

  And she was the exact same way.

  She loved Casablanca, was absorbed in the movie, but she was aware of him on an intense level she couldn’t begin to describe. It filled her with excitement and awe, because she’d never felt like this, but there was also a healthy dose of fear.

  What if it all went completely south, and he turned out like Fiona’s last boyfriend?

  It won’t, she told herself. Faith. Have faith.

  The movie paused halfway through for intermission, and she squirmed in her seat, suddenly losing her words. What could she say that didn’t blatantly show him just how much she was into him?

  Turning to face her, Cody searched her eyes for a never-ending moment. Reaching out, he took her hand, stroking his thumb against her knuckles.

  “It might be too soon to say this,” he said quietly. “But it just feels right. I really like you, Olivia. This doesn’t feel casual to me. It feels real. It feels right. And I don’t want it to end when the movie’s over.”

  The butterflies hovering in her stomach exploded in a fury as she sucked in a breath. Her fingers tightened around his as she searched for her bravery. Her courage. Because she’d be a liar if she tried to deny that she felt the same.

  “Cody… I can’t tell you why right now. I just don’t think I’m ready.” Her words were soft as she implored him to understand. “But everything you’re saying, well, I feel it too. It just scares the crap out of me.”

  “I can tell you have emotional wounds and scars. I’m not asking you to bare your soul right now and tell me all about them. But I wanted to let you know what this is to me. Because I’m hoping you’ll give us, and whatever this is between us, a chance.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest, the thump-thump reverberating through her whole body. “I honestly think I was in denial until today. My friends told me it was more, but I didn’t want to face the truth because it scared me. But I faced it today—and I’m still here with you now. I’m trying to give this a shot. But I have to ask you to be patient with me. The things you don’t know impact everything I do, how I feel, how I react… So you have to understand that I’m not like other women. I probably won’t ever be like other women.”

  The corner of his mouth turned up in that half smile that made her weak, and he lifted his arm slowly, gently pushing her hair back from her face. “I understand, and I’m okay with that. More than okay with it, really. Even if you didn’t have past experiences that made you wary, you’d still be different to me. And everyone has baggage, Liv. I don’t think one single person makes it through like without it. Some of them just have heavier loads to carry. I don’t mind yours, and I won’t run from it. I can promise you that.”

  She searched his warm brown eyes, finding nothing but sincerity and conviction. Her baggage was much different than the average humans, though, so she wasn’t sure he’d feel the same way once he knew the truth.

  But that sliver of faith she’d found was burning in her chest, and she knew she was going to put her trust into whatever was developing between them.

  With the way she already felt about him, she honestly wasn’t sure she had a choice.

  “Then as long as you accept that I have a past, one I’m not willing to talk about, one that might make having something with me difficult… then I’m in this, too. I’m willing to give it a chance.”

  He gave her a brilliant smile, one that stretched wide, showing off his dimples. “That’s all I ask.” Glancing up at the screen, where the countdown to the second half of the movie was ticking away, he looked back over at her and raised an eyebrow. “Need a refill? We sh
ould hit the concession stand before the movie starts again.”

  Nodding, she grabbed her cup, unable to resist teasing him. “You’re really into this movie, aren’t you?”

  Shrugging unrepentantly, he lifted the hand he still held in his and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles, the simple action making her body burn. “It’s one of my favorites. I’m more into you, though.”

  Her smile turned shy as he untangled their fingers. Sweet heavens, could he be any more perfect? She knew he had flaws, everyone did, but the man she was coming to know was amazing.

  It made her sure that whatever his flaws were, she could easily overlook them.

  They both reached for their door handles at the same time, but before they could get them open, the lights at the drive-in flickered. Pausing, they glanced at each other before looking around as the lights continued to blink in and out.

  Panic and unease began welling up inside of her, but she tried to push them back down. It’s just an electrical malfunction, Liv, she told herself. Or maybe there’s a storm rolling in, and that’s causing it.

  Some of her panic abated at the thought. She hadn’t checked the weather today, so she was sure that was it. And if she normally felt incoming storms in her bones, well, that didn’t mean it still wasn’t true. She’d been extraordinarily distracted that day, after all.

  But then the big screen suddenly changed to a new image, one that made her blood run cold. The background was black, the words bloodred.

  We’re coming for the abominations.

  The message was short and sweet, but it made her muscles lock into place as fear took over.

  The dragons. They must be talking about the dragons. But how had anyone found out they were there? They’d told no one except the Enforcers, and she knew they wouldn’t say a word to anyone.

  “What the hell?” Cody muttered, eyes focused on the screen. She glanced over at him, taking in his narrowed eyes and the muscle ticking in his jaw. “If this is someone’s idea of a joke, it’s a fucking bad one.”

  The flickering lights finally extinguished, leaving only the movie screen lit up, the awful, terror inducing message still showing. All around them, vehicles were starting and pulling out as people left, proving that she wasn’t the only one feeling the unease in the air.

  “Maybe we should leave too,” she said, trying not to let her panic show. Someone who wasn’t a shifter or didn’t know about them wouldn’t understand, and she had no interest in cluing him in. Not right that moment.

  Shit. Did this mean the dragons needed to leave, find somewhere new to live? She should absolutely be on board with that plan, but despite the terror worming its way through her body, it still made her sad.

  She didn’t want to leave Cody and what they were beginning. It felt like it could be epic, and she knew once they were gone, she’d mourn him and what could have been for the rest of her life.

  Realizing he hadn’t answered, she turned her attention from the screen and all the customers leaving to look at him. He was gazing intently into a darkened corner of the lot, next to the woods.

  “There’s something…” he trailed off, eyes narrowing. “I think there’s something over there. I’m gonna go check it out.”

  Before she could tell him what an epically bad idea that was, he was out of the truck and striding toward the corner. The panic she’d been trying to keep muted welled up, taking her over so completely that she couldn’t stop shaking.

  What the fuck was he thinking? Something very, very wrong was clearly going on, and instead of getting to safety, he went to check out what was a potentially dangerous situation?

  God. If there were hunters out there, he could be walking into certain death.

  This was all her fucking fault.

  Go. Follow him, she told herself firmly. Give him the protection he doesn’t know he needs.

  She grasped the door handle, but she couldn’t make herself open it. Anger at herself welled up inside of her. Yes, she was scared for herself, especially after everything she’d been through. But her fear for Cody outweighed her fear for herself—yet still, she couldn’t bring herself to open the door.

  Nothing will happen to you, her dragon said firmly. I won’t let it. I’m not suppressed—I’m right here, and I will torch anyone who harms you, and then eat their ashes.

  What if they have suppressants? What if they inject me with it before you can come out?

  Are you going to live your life in what ifs? Or are you going to keep holding onto your faith, and take your life back? The old Olivia would have been scared, but she still would have followed to protect Cody. Are you going to let what Fernandez did rule your every action now? Are you going to let something happen to him because of what happened to you in the past? I never took you for a weak coward, but you’re acting like one right now.

  Fucking bitch, she muttered in reply—knowing she only said that because her dragon was right and was forcing her to see those truths, no matter how harsh they were.

  And also knowing her animal would forgive her for it. Eventually, anyway.

  Inhaling deeply and refusing to think about what she was doing, she shoved the door open and began walking in the direction Cody had gone. Normally she wouldn’t use any shifter enhancements in public, but the theater was mostly deserted now—and she had to, since she’d taken so long to get up her courage to follow.

  Putting on a burst of speed, she took off in the direction he went, searching for any hint of him. As a shifter, she had enhanced vision and hearing, along with strength and healing, and she made full use of them as she went.

  She heard the sounds of a fight before she saw them, and her heart leapt in her throat when she finally put her eyes on them.

  Cody was fighting four other men—odds that seemed impossible, yet somehow, he was holding his own. She stood still and silent, indecision washing over her. Should she intervene? She wasn’t a fighter, but she could shift if she had to.

  She just wasn’t sure if it was needed, since Cody was fending them off so well. Shifting where there were most likely still humans around seemed like a horrible idea if it wasn’t needed. Her dragon was too large to go unnoticed.

  But then two of the men pulled knives, and she knew she had no other option. If she tried to fight in human form, she’d most likely just get herself killed, and she’d be zero help to Cody if that happened.

  Drawing from the inner heat of her dragon’s fire, she tensed to shift. But before she could begin the process, something happened that froze her to the spot.

  Cody spotted the same thing she had, and with a roar, he hunched over. It happened in the blink of an eye, but Olivia saw it in slow motion, every second seared into her mind.

  His roar tapered off to a growl as his clothes shredded, a massive gorilla standing where just a moment before, the man she was falling for had stood.

  But he was unlike any gorilla she’d ever seen, and her feet slowly started moving backward as he beat his enormous fists on his chest. His fur was the color of fresh, pure snow, and underneath that, the tough, leathery gorilla skin was bloodred. And his eyes—they were the same bloodred of his skin.

  Fear of him replaced fear for him as she continued to back away. It was clear he could handle himself, even if he’d been fighting all shifters. Only one of the four men shifted, the rest still fighting as men, so she had to assume they weren’t shifters at all.

  Gorillas weren’t as common as other shifter species, but still, she’d heard them described. Hell, she’d seen them with her own eyes, and they always looked exactly like their counterparts in the wild—only bigger, as shifter animals tended to be.

  So what the hell was Cody? Because that wasn’t a normal gorilla. That was something completely different, something freakish and unnatural.

  What the hell is he? she asked her dragon, her hands shaking as she continued to back away.

  I don’t know. I’ve never sensed anything like him. Ever, her dragon replied, her voice solemn an
d laced with confusion. Remember when we thought we smelled that hint of fur, but weren’t sure where it came from or what it meant? Maybe this is why. Because we’ve never been around someone like him, so it didn’t make sense.

  I don’t like this. At all, she said, finally turning around and walking swiftly toward the truck. I can’t do this. I need to go home—now. I can’t deal with this.

  I know what you’re thinking, Olivia Jasmine. You are not going to live in fear of him. You are not going to convince the dragons to move. And you are not going to find a new company to do the renovation if you stay. This doesn’t change anything.

  Are you fucking kidding me? It changes everything. That… that… whatever the hell that was back there isn’t normal. You can’t seriously be trying to tell me nothing’s changed.

  How is this any different than if he’d been a human and you told him you were a dragon? You were just worrying over that. Don’t be a hypocrite.

  Her dragon’s words gave her pause, but she shook her head, refusing to back down. I don’t care. None. Zero fucks to give. If that makes me a hypocrite, so be it.

  You sure do love to drop the f-bomb when you’re worked up. I kinda like it.

  Her animal was using her standard fallback of humor, trying to snap her out of the spiral of fear and distrust she was in, but she refused to give in. There was nothing she could say that would change the way she felt right now.

  Nothing.

  She was nearly to the truck, intent on grabbing her purse and getting the hell out of Dodge, when a rhythmic pounding on the ground reached her ears. Heart lodging in her throat, she whirled around, frozen as she watched Cody’s gorilla—hell, was that even what he was?—rushing toward the truck.

  Spotting her standing in fear, he instantly slowed. Pausing, he held his hands up with his palms out, and she knew he was trying to show her she had nothing to fear.

  But that gesture did nothing to ease the terror inside her. Her heart was still pounding, her chest heaving as her breath sawed in and out.

  And if she had a momentary thought about how uniquely beautiful his animal was, well, she was refusing to acknowledge it.