Page 32 of Saving Her Dragon

Garrett didn’t hesitate. He didn’t hide the evidence, and he didn’t construct a tactical retreat to buy himself time. Ten minutes later, he walked straight back into the main house, his boots heavy against the hardwood floor.

Carrick, Grey, and Ginnie were still gathered in the kitchen, the remnants of the morning's casual banter lingering in the air.

Without a word, Garrett stepped up to the table. He opened his hand, letting the heavy golden mount clatter against the wood. The brilliant red Dragon scale caught the overhead light, glittering like a dropped coal.

Carrick went entirely rigid. His recognition was immediate and obvious.

A dense, suffocating silence fell over the kitchen.

"Where did you find it?" Carrick asked, his rough voice dropping into a dangerous, low register.

"In my jacket pocket," Garrett said. He stood perfectly straight, his shoulders square. He didn't flinch, and he didn't look away from the Elder’s sharp gaze. "I think I took it."

"We don't know that for sure⁠—"

"I held it before, Sydney."

He didn't tell them about the flash of darkness, the scent of cedar and old leather, or the ghostly memory of a metal pin pricking his thumb. But he knew the empirical truth. He had held it before. That was enough for him.

Carrick stared at the tie tack resting on the wood. His thick eyebrows knit together. For a fraction of a second, the entire room seemed to hold its breath. But the renowned Guardsman didn't become suspicious. He didn't tighten his posture or glare at Garrett with doubt.

He knew exactly who Garrett was. He knew the absolute loyalty that was caked into the younger Guardsman’s soul. He knew Garrett would cut off his own hand before ever betraying the Golden Fire Clan, Dragonkin, or humankind.

Lifting his head, Carrick’s wizened gaze locked onto Garrett with absolute, unwavering trust. "Do you remember why?"

"No."

"Then we find out."

There was no accusation. There was no fear. It was pure, unadulterated leadership. He wasn't tracking a thief. He was working a strategic anomaly with one of his own men.

Stepping closer, Ginnie’s eyes were dark with concern as she looked at the golden mount. "Emma made that from Alastair's scale," she murmured softly, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room. "Carrick would never have simply left it lying around."

"We change the protocol," Carrick commanded, turning his head to look at Grey. "Garrett doesn't sleep alone anymore."

Garrett’s jaw tightened. "I haven't been alone, Carrick. Sydney is right beside me."

"I mean somebody who stays awake," Carrick countered, his tone leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

The words hit Garrett like a physical blow to the chest. The escalation was official. The variables had shifted from a private, digital camera feed to an active, physical guard rotation.

"I'll take the first watch," Sydney immediately volunteered, her grip tightening on Garrett’s arm as she looked around the room.

"I've got the second," Grey nodded, his expression turning entirely serious as his training took control of the house parameters.

They called it a watch. Garrett knew what it felt like. His family was now staying awake because nobody knew what he might do when he wasn't.

He had become the threat.

Hours later, the deep, heavy dark of the Texas night settled over the cottage. The cicadas chirped outside the window, and the scent of night-blooming jasmine filled the air.

Garrett lay perfectly still on his back, his eyes staring wide into the absolute blackness of the bedroom ceiling. Beside him, Sydney was asleep, her breathing a soft, rhythmic whisper against the quiet of the cottage.

Outside the partially open bedroom door, the hallway was silent– but Garrett was a trained Scout. He could hear the faint, occasional creak of a heavy wooden chair down the hall. He could hear the subtle, deep shift of Grey’s weight as his brother sat vigilant in the dark, watching the exit.

And for the first time since he had returned home, Garrett could not sleep.

The exhaustion was heavy in his bones, a dull ache pressing behind his eyes, but his mind refused to surrender to slumber. He was terrified to close his eyes. He was terrified of what his body would do the second he went offline.