Hidden Flame 114

**Cassius**
As Avery strolled through the woods with Draven, I felt it was the perfect time for my brothers and me to have a chat.
Rory was off shopping with Trisha, so it was just us. I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else had noticed the change in
Avery and Regina.
Conner hesitated before saying, “Yeah, they were more assertive.”
Clint said, “They were quite adventurous once we reached the hotel.”
“It was like a whole new side of Avery emerged. Her magic was stronger than ever,” I added. “But she also seemed
troubled. Does anyone know why?”
Silence fell over the group as they all shook their heads. Suddenly, I heard Draven’s voice in my mind, reassuring me to be
prepared for whatever awaited us in Talos. His words only fueled my anxiety, leaving me more unsettled than before.
Draven has just informed me that we will be heading to Talos after Christmas, and he emphasized that we need to be
prepared for anything, I relay to my brothers.
“Do you think the King will refuse us entry?” Conner questions.
I shrug, uncertain. “While we have never had any issues with his tribe, our recent seclusion may have rubbed him the wrong way. And I can’t shake the feeling of tension between him and Avery at our Prom. Could his dragon have been the
one that attacked her as a child?
Clint lets out a heavy sigh. “I hope not, for Avery’s sake. She’s just starting to adjust to being with us. King James is twelve
years her senior and likely much stricter with women than we are.”
Clint makes a valid point. King James is known for his strictness, his unwavering authority, and his immense power. I
refuse to let him break Avery, especially now that she is finally finding comfort in her own skin and with her dragon.
**Clint**
The words that Cassius just uttered have struck fear into my very core. The mere mention of King James sends shivers
down my spine. I have yet to hear a single favorable thing about him. It matters not that he may have taken Tim under
his wing, for Avery is not a possession to be owned. She is a treasure, yes, but one that must willingly choose her keeper.
Do I revel in testing her limits? Absolutely. But I also understand the importance of respecting her boundaries and
consent. I highly doubt that King James possesses such understanding, especially considering his track record with women. We must prepare for the worst and have a backup plan in place. The stakes are too high to leave anything to
chance.
Donn, the towering leader of the Ravens who aided us, held a special fondness for Avery. I pondered the idea of
convincing him to join us on our journey to Talos, in hopes that his dark power could help control Typhon, the ruthless
dragon of King James. I look at my brothers and say, “I need to go to that library in the human world.” The library at the
college where Avery discovered that mysterious book beckoned to me and it could hold the answers I seek.
My brothers agreed with a silent nod. We decided to tell Avery we were shopping for her Christmas gifts, though I
despised deceiving her. I bore the burden of keeping her worry at bay, with Cassius understanding my plight. Conner,
however, hesitated.
“What if we uncover something we’re not prepared for?” Conner’s voice quivered with anxiety.
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“I am counting on it,” I replied confidently. I was determined to unravel the secrets of Talos, even if it meant delving into multiple resources. I sensed that the answers we sought had been within our reach all along.
**Conner**
I am filled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety. The source of my unease stems from my deep love for Avery. My
feelings for her are so intense that I would willingly sacrifice my own life for hers. She is my everything, my reason for
being in this world.
As I navigate through this tumultuous journey, I can’t help but feel like we are characters in a complex video game. Uncertain of who our allies are and with only a vague understanding of the dangers that lie ahead. There is no cheat
code or guide to assist us on this treacherous path. Perhaps I should seek counsel from Tim. Despite my brothers’
disapproval of him, I see a reflection of myself in him. I believe he may be Trisha’s mate. His display of remarkable selfcontrol speaks volumes about his character. I am indifferent to his Balans lineage, as I sense that he may be one of the
few virtuous ones, much like Avery, who is the epitome of all that is good in the Naga kingdom.
I firmly believe that Avery should never be left alone. Draven must accompany her when we venture into the human world. Trisha and Rory can also provide companionship for Avery in our absence. As for Rory, my feelings are conflicted.
Despite Clint’s fondness for her, I harbor a deep sense of mistrust. There is an air of secrecy surrounding her, a secret so
significant that it gives me pause. Furthermore, her status as a werewolf only adds to my unease. Werewolves are known
for their unwavering loyalty to their Alpha, willing to carry out any order, even if it means facing a dragon in battle. This
blind allegiance is something I despise about werewolves. Their leaders prefer to observe from the safety of their opulent
mansions, indifferent to the carnage unfolding before them as they sip on their scotch. In this tumultuous world of
supernatural beings, trust is a rare commodity. And with Rory, that trust remains elusive.
We must refrain from allowing any new individuals to enter our lives at this time. The threat of rats looms large, as our
parents have warned us. I must delve into the history books detailing the Cora Tribe in search of answers, though they
may prove to be as elusive as a needle in a haystack.