Page 1 of Destined

Chapter 1

WARM, DAMP NIGHT air sifted over Kayla Rowe as she gripped the dragon’s neck ridge and peered down at the lake below them. Dozens of enormous, slime-covered Dark Fae monsters slithered from the water as they attacked the men of Forever Faire. Although Kayla knew the Fae warriors all to be battle-hardened, superb fighters, they would soon be overwhelmed by the creatures.

You must free my brothers and sisters, lady, Fallon thought to her through their telepathic link. He began to drop down toward the trees. Remove the keys from them, and tell them this.

Kayla listened to the guttural string of sounds the dragon thought to her. “I don’t think I can say that.”

Fallon circled over the camp until he hovered above a cluster of large, powerful motorcycles.

Only remember it, and they will hear it in their minds.

“All right.” She glanced back over her shoulder at her sister, Christine Marszalek. “I’m going to get the rest of the dragons. You and Fallon keep the Blackstones busy—but don’t get too close, and stay away from the shadows.”

“We’ve got your back.” Christine said, handing her a dagger. Then she gave her a quick hug. “Be careful.”

Fallon’s long wings flapped rapidly as he dropped low enough for Kayla to jump to the ground. The air he displaced as he soared back into the sky blasted her for a moment. Then she ran to the motorcycles, yanking the keys from their ignitions as their engines roared to life.

Fallon sent me to free you. Kayla blasted the thought at the bikes as she waded through them. He gave me a message, too. Listen to me.

By the time she had run through her memory of Fallon’s message, all of the bikes had gone silent. She wrenched out the last key and threw all of them into the woods.

A cacophony of dragon voices filled her mind. They roared and screeched, their rage almost tangible.

“Stop,” she said through clenched teeth. She staggered back a pace. “Stop.”

It was like an ice pick being driven from temple to temple. Groaning, she dropped to her knees. Acid climbed in the back of her throat, and their voices crescendoed even higher. Tunnel vision took over, narrowing her sight. She was starting to black out. Despite the pain, she focused on the strongest thoughts.

Fallon is dead, one said, killed by you and the Fae.

“No,” she said, gasping as she braced a hand on the nearest bike. She flooded it with memories of Fallon helping her and Christine escape the Blackstones. “He asked for sanctuary. I promised him we would try to free the rest of you. That’s why I’m here. He brought me to you.”

Kayla could sense some of the dragon herd listening. She projected memories of her conversations with Fallon since giving him sanctuary. Scene after scene flowed through her mind, until finally the voices in her head gradually quieted. She took a shaky breath, and got unsteadily to her feet.

The biggest of the bikes approached and came to a stop in front of her.

You vow your men will not slay us?

“They don’t want to hurt anyone,” she said. “But they will defend themselves against any attack.”

Why should we risk our lives to help you and Fallon? one of the other dragons demanded. You offer nothing in return.

Kayla nodded. “I have nothing to give you except your freedom—from cruel masters who don’t care if you live or die.”

The dragons thought to each other in their own language for several minutes, before the biggest backed away from Kayla.

We will transform and follow Fallon.

She concealed a huge wave of relief. “Have you seen Tara Blackstone?”

Master Dirk had her taken to his tent, the dragon replied, and showed Kayla how to get to it. He beat her badly for trying to deceive him.

Although she knew Tara wasn’t her sister, the thought of the frail teenager being abused by Dirk made Kayla swallow against a new surge of bile.

“I’m going to free her. Please try to keep the guards away so I can.”

The dragon’s surly distrust seemed to melt away.

The little one is not like her kin. She is special to us. Be gentle with her.