Page 58 of Kiss of Embers
“No, they don’t.”
He grinned. “Captain Planet, he’s our hero?—”
“—gonna take pollution down to zero,” I finished. Struan’s grin widened, and together we singsonged, “Gooo, planet!”
Finn’s expression was a mixture of amusement and incredulity as he looked between us. “I think youbothhit your heads.”
Struan sobered, and he leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Finn doesn’t care about the environment.”
“I care about it,” Finn said. “I just don’t—” He snapped his mouth shut. “I refuse to be baited.”
“Orquality animation,” Struan added solemnly.
I couldn’t control my laughter. Unfortunately, it made my shoulders shake, and what started as a giggle ended in another groan.
Finn tsked. “Och, lass, let’s get you fixed up.” He held me close until I settled. Then he looked at Struan. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
For a minute, nothing happened. The three of us sat in the moonlight, the jungle’s sound swelling around us.
Then, something shifted. Tendrils of power crept over my skin, raising goosebumps and putting a hitch in my breath. Power built, and the air began to…sparkle.
Struan bowed his head, a look of intense concentration on his handsome features. Above me, Finn did the same, his long lashes sweeping his cheeks as he closed his eyes.
The insects fell silent. Even the moon seemed to pause, its light flickering as if someone powered a battery.
Lights danced before my eyes. The world was dipped in sugar, the leaves on the trees glinting like they’d been dusted with glitter. Finn’s forearm behind me heated up. So did his lap. Forget an electric blanket, he washot. Too hot.
My heart raced. The power built. Just as I began to squirm, a diamond slid from the corner of Finn’s eye. Small and perfect, it was shaped like a teardrop. But there was no mistaking it for anything but a gemstone. Its facets sent light shooting in a dozendifferent directions. Tiny rainbows played over Finn’s cheek and the front of my shirt.
“There,” Struan said, satisfaction in his voice. Smiling, he caught the diamond on his fingertip and carried it to my lips.
I took it onto my tongue automatically. Instinctively. Fire crackled in my mind, and then rushed through my veins and into my lungs. It was hot—searing—but it didn’t burn. Nevertheless, it was all-consuming. Obliterating in the best way. The blaze frazzled through every part of me, knitting the torn ligaments in my shoulder and sealing the wound in my head. Bruises healed. Minor aches I hadn’t even been aware of resolved. My energy returned, every cell rejuvenated.
As quickly as the fire arrived, it fled, leaving me breathless but wholly healed.
“Whoa,” I said, sitting up. “I had no idea dragon tears were that potent.”
Struan smiled. “It’ll be our little secret.”
It was hardly a secret. And the dragons were damn lucky they occupied the top of the supernatural food chain. Otherwise, humans and immortals alike would have hunted them. Perhaps that explained some of the animosity they received from the other Firstborn Races.
Finn stood, depositing me on my feet. Hands on my shoulders, he gave me a searching look. “How do you feel?”
“Perfect. Like I slept a dozen hours and actually drank all the water I’m supposed to instead of just talking about it.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m glad to hear it, lass.” He glanced at the trees around us, and the humor drained from his face. “We should get moving. I don’t like this place.”
I turned, scanning the jungle. Giant palms nestled against soaring rubber trees. Despite the moon’s silver glow, shadows lurked in the dense foliage. “Where are we, exactly?”
“Good question,” Struan said. “When Finn and I couldn’t fight the current, we let it push us down. It was a rough ride, but we ended up here.”
Finn scowled as he rubbed at his jaw. “Took for-fucking-ever. If I had to guess, I’d say we’re still inside the temple, and this is just part of the illusion the demons used to create the appearance of obstacles.”
I tilted my head back. The sky certainly didn’t look like an illusion. I looked at Finn. “What if you shifted and flew back up? Do you think we could reach the top of the cliff again?”
“It’s a good idea, lass, and we tried it while you were unconscious. Once we reach a certain altitude, the wind starts up again. In both beast and shadow form, it pushes us back down.”