Free Clutch of the Demon by A. P. Jensen Page A

him. If it were the last thing she did, she would get the dragon out of here.  
    Her mind drifted. She thought of spells, curses, magic, demons and her family. She whispered prayers over them and dozed off.  

    Cara lay on her bed in the bedroom her mom always kept ready for her. Dawn sat beside her and stroked Cara's hair back from her face. Her eyes were shiny with tears and there was a bittersweet smile on her face.  
    "Ah, Cara, what am I going to do with you?" Dawn murmured.  
    Cara smiled and said nothing, enjoying the feel of her mom playing with her hair.  
    "I'm happy you're alive."
    Cara frowned and the dream began to distort. Dawn's hands tightened on her.  
    "Shh, I've been searching for you ever since you left. I needed to know you're well."
    Cara forced herself to relax and the image of her old room solidified once more. She looked up at her mother, eyes now focused. "Sky's well?"
    Dawn beamed. "Better than she's ever been. There's no trace of the disease."
    Cara's heart welled with joy. "You're back home?"
    "Yes. Sky keeps asking for you."
    A sharp pang reverberated through her chest, but Cara didn't let it disturb the delicate dream. "I'm not suffering."
    Dawn dropped her head and pressed Cara's hand to her cheek. "I don't know what you sacrificed to heal her, but I had to thank you."
    "I would do anything for either of you."
    Dawn's tear-drenched eyes met her own. "I know. Will I see you again?"
    Powerful magic invaded the dream and the room began to bend. Dawn sobbed and clutched at Cara with desperate hands. Cara lurched up and hugged her tight.  
    "I love you," Cara whispered.  

    Cara opened her eyes and saw the dragon looking down at her. His turquoise eyes were a blur as tears trickled down her cheeks. She sat up and wiped her eyes, sniffling. Her throat was tight with emotion.  
    You can dream walk.
    He didn't sound angry, but neither did he sound pleased. There was no use in lying to him, so she nodded.  
    That isn't possible.  
    She let out a watery chuckle. "Mom can do anything."
    You're emotional.
    Cara kicked off her boots and got to her feet. She ducked beneath the dragon's wings and began to pace. Love and regret swirled through her. They're safe as long as you stay here, she told herself firmly. She strode past her hobbit hole and walked further into the cavern until she came upon a pool of water that fizzed with tiny bubbles. She stopped in front of the lake and wrapped her arms around herself. She sensed the dragon come up behind her.  
    "My sister Sky is doing well. The disease is gone," she said.
    She will have no other sickness for the rest of her life.  
    Her throat locked up. "Thank you."
    She bent over because the agony in her chest was as strong as it had been in the hospital when she walked away from her family. She could barely breathe through the overwhelming loss. When she sank to her knees, the dragon shifted and his front leg pressed against her back. She didn't question the small gesture and was sunk in such despair that she leaned against him, boneless and suddenly exhausted. He easily took her weight.  
    I can take away the pain.
    She blew out a breath like a woman in labor. "That's okay. It reminds me that I'm human."
    What else would you be?
    "I only feel like this about my family. Most of the time, I don't feel anything."  
    You are a strange human.  
    She smiled and felt the pain ease. "I know."
    Your mother is a dream walker as well?
    She nodded.  
    You can sense demons, dream walk, and go on reckless quests. What else can you do?
    "I battle dragons."
    Fire spewed from his nostrils, but this time, she didn't cower. He was amused and for some reason, that made all of this bearable.
    Did you tell your mother where you are?
    "No," she said and wiped her eyes. "She just wanted to know if I was alive."
    I won't release you from our bargain.
    "I know."
    The silence in the cavern was impenetrable. It felt suffocating and safe at the same time. The outside world