Chapter 9

NINE

“ P erhaps we should focus on control,” Nellie Draker suggested, her knowing smile entirely too similar to Dr. Evadne’s. “Before my son’s training facility requires complete renovation.”

“Yes, please. Anything to escape this mortifying family intervention.” Asher tried to step away from Talon again, only to sway as her senses suddenly sharpened. “Whoa. That’s... intense.”

“What do you feel?” Talon’s voice remained steady, but his hands tightened on her waist.

“Everything. The air currents from the ventilation system. Everyone’s heartbeats. Your scent getting stronger when you’re worried—which is not helping my concentration, by the way.” She closed her eyes, overwhelmed. “It’s like someone turned all my senses up to eleven.”

“Focus on one thing at a time,” he murmured. “Start with your wings.”

“Easy for you to say. You’ve had centuries to practice. I’m still trying to process the fact that I can smell emotions now. Including whatever that thunderstorm thing you do when I get too close, which is incredibly distr?—”

Her words cut off as another transformation wave hit, stronger than before. Power surged through her. She clutched Talon’s shirt, trying to anchor herself against the sensation.

“That’s it,” he encouraged softly. “Let it flow through you.”

“Stop being supportive, it makes you more attractive.” She gritted her teeth as her wings responded to her agitation, knocking over a rack of free weights. “Though maybe we should focus on the fact that I’m apparently a walking disaster zone now. One that’s very attracted to her boss. Who’s a dragon. And my mate? Still processing that part.”

But something else caught Asher’s enhanced senses—a darker presence at the edges of her awareness. Her newfound instincts bristled.

“Someone’s watching,” she said, surprised by the growl in her voice. “Someone... wrong.”

Talon closed his eyes and breathed deeply, then his expression darkened. “My brother, Dimitri.”

“Your brother?” She glanced up at him, catching the flash of gold in his eyes.

“He must be monitoring the building.” Talon’s arms tightened protectively. “He must’ve sensed your transformation too.”

“Great. Because this wasn’t complicated enough already.” She tried for sarcasm but couldn’t quite hide her shiver. “Though I have to say, your protective growl thing is working for me. Very attractive. Probably inappropriate timing to mention that, but apparently filter failure is a transformation side effect.”

“You find my protective instincts attractive?” Talon’s voice dropped lower, sending more shivers down her spine.

“I find everything about you attractive. It’s becoming a real problem.” Asher tried to focus on the threat, but her new dragon instincts kept getting distracted by how right it felt to be in his arms. “Though maybe we should discuss the creepy brother situation instead of my embarrassing inability to maintain professional distance.”

“He won’t touch you.” The possessive growl in his voice should not have been that appealing.

“That really shouldn’t be so hot,” she muttered. “I’m trying to be appropriately concerned about potential danger here, and you’re making it very difficult with the whole protective mate thing.”

Both families had moved into defensive positions, the earlier teasing atmosphere replaced by something more alert. Lori stepped closer, her usual easy smile gone.

“Ash, your readings are still unstable,” Lori said, checking something on her phone. “The transformation isn’t complete.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I hadn’t noticed, what with the random wing sprouting and inability to control my attraction to—” She broke off as another wave hit, this one bringing a surge of power that shorted out half the lights. “Okay, that’s new. And sparkly. Why am I sparkly?”

Talon’s hands steadied her as she swayed. “Your dragon’s emerging faster because of the threat. She wants to protect you.”

“She? There’s a she? I have a she?” Asher blinked rapidly. “And she has opinions about you. Very strong opinions. Which I’m definitely not voicing out loud because my mother is right there and I still have some dignity left. Not much, but some.”