Page 82 of Red Dragon’s Flame

The female phoenix stretched her head out towards Michelangela, who laid her hand gently on it, a listening look on her face.

She said, “I think she’s saying that she and her mate will use their power to lock this world, so the Allohim can’t get out.”

That is correct, said the male phoenix. They will have to content themselves with their own powers.

“Serves those fuckers right,” Michelangela said.

No one disagreed with that.

When all the wounded were tended, Kira and Flynn began making gates to take the team back to their own world. Mikah, Devon and Michelangela were among the last to leave.

One of the phoenix hatchlings was following Michelangela around, chirping like a baby chick who’d swallowed a wind chime.

“It’s so adorable,” she said, lifting it up. Her dad swallowed a gasp before realizing that it wasn’t burning her. Michelangela turned to him. “Can I keep it?”

Rafe and Jace, her alpha, spoke at the same time. “Fuck no.” Jace added, “Do you want to burn our whole territory down?”

Mikey sighed and sent it back to its mother. “You never let me have any fun.”

Tristan came over and mussed Michelangela’s hair. “You were awesome today. If you want, you can start training with my team.”

Michelangela stared at him, her eyes like stars. She turned to Rafe. “Can I, Dad? You know I’ve always wanted to. Please?”

Tristan said, “She’s got the talent, and the courage. And she earned it today.”

Rafe sighed. “Why do they have to grow up?” he asked no one in particular.

“It’s okay.” She tucked her arm through his. “I’ll always be your Ninja Baby. Just a little more badass.”

“No narwhals,” Rafe said.

“I promise.”

They walked off, leaving Devon and Mikah alone with the phoenixes. Devon put her hand on the female phoenixes head, stroking her silky flames. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

It is we who should thank you. The male phoenix’s voice rang in her ears. You and your… family… have set us free, after so many generations.

Family. They were, she realized, in their own way. The Al-Maddeiri dragons, the Greystones, the wolves from Silverlake and the Ops team. All of them willing to fight for her and Mikah, and for Michelangela.

She was so, so lucky to be a part of that.

“I hope you will be happy,” she said to the phoenixes, slipping her arm around Mikah. “As happy as we’re going to be.”

Freedom is a great gift. Now we will all be free. And you will carry our daughter within you.

“Only as long as she wants to be there,” Devon replied.

You will be as one. She, and you, and your dragon. We are both fortunate to have such friends.

“Yes,” she said. “We are.”

They watched the phoenixes fly upward, out the hole at the top of the rock dome. Then Devon and Mikah went to the gate Kira was holding open for them, and started their journey home.

Chapter 38

Three days later, Mikah and Devon were standing at the edge of the picnic grounds at Al-Maddeiri, looking out on the chaos of Zakerek and Maddie’s Utterly Epic Future Evil Dragon Overlord Baby Bash.

That was the official name of the party, according to the banner that Zakerek had talked Michelangela into painting for them. With help from Princess Kendra, who had added paintings of tiny red and black dragons killing flying monkeys all around the edges—with plenty of blood.