Free Charred Hope (#3, Heart of Fire) by Lizzy Ford

happy,” Mason observed.
    “I really don’t care,” she said. “I won this round, and it was worth it.”
    Chace unfolded his wings and lifted himself into the air above them.
    Gunner gave a plaintive cry in his panther form, and Mason grimaced. Skylar, however, was eager to get off the mountain, even if it was by dragon.
    With gentleness that conveyed none of his anger, Chace picked them all up, one by one, and then began a gradual descent to the ground. Skylar watched the ground become closer, fascinated by the amount of strength it took for him to fly with such control and steadiness.
    Mason was right. It had been difficult for her to gauge her strength as a lioness let alone curb it so she didn’t hurt someone. How much harder was it going to be to do similar as a dragon? To fly ? How did one learn in the first place?
    Chace’s magic was like a bonfire in her veins. It meant that she was able to turn into a dragon as well, now that his magic was freed. She had a feeling being a dragon was much more complex than being a feline but couldn’t wait to try it.
    He took them to a picnic area at the base of the mountains and hovered in a meadow capable of accommodating his sixty-foot wingspan. Releasing them all a few feet from the ground, he then landed a short distance from them.
    “We’re about three kilometers from the compound,” Mason assessed. “You all are welcome to return.”
    “Maybe,” Skylar said and folded her arms across her chest. “I have a few things to say to your boss.”
    Mason averted his gaze in a sign that made her stomach sink. They both watched Gunner running across the field. He dropped his shoulder and rolled, grunting as he wriggled in the grass.
    “Think he’s happy to be back on solid ground,” Mason said with a laugh. “I feel like doing the same thing.”
    Skylar’s smile faded.
    Mason glanced at her. “I should go. Freyja will be suspicious if I’m gone too long.”
    “If you’re serious about being on the winning side, why don’t you stay with us?” Skylar asked.
    He considered her briefly before answering. “I’ve gotta take care of a few things.”
    “Now that I know what I can do, I’m putting as many of your people to sleep as I can,” she added. “No more instigating this war between shifters. And your boss – she’s got a ton of shit headed her way.”
    “I know.” He studied her. “There are some people who deserve to know what we’ve done to them. Give me a day, Skylar, before you hunt us down. Enjoy your time with Chace, and let me break the news to those who don’t yet know they’ve been brainwashed. I’m going to tear down the organization Freyja built from the inside out.”
    Skylar’s anger with his involvement in the conspiracy of Dillon and Freyja softened. She believed him to be genuine. It was in the sorrow and regret she read in his eyes.
    “I can’t imagine how they will react,” she said. “You don’t have to do it alone, Mason.”
    “I need to,” he said firmly. “I’m making amends the only way I know how. I can’t change what I’ve done, but I can change what happens next. You’re right, Sky. They deserve to know and to be given a choice.”
    Pitying him, she nodded. She heard the rustling of grass behind her as Chace made his way across the field.
    Mason turned and began walking towards the forest.
    Skylar hesitated. “Mason.”
    He turned.
    “Thank you for doing this,” she told him. “Really. I know how hard it will be.”
    He nodded. Without speaking, he turned away and disappeared into the forest.
    Skylar watched him. She wanted to go with him, to try to help console those who were about to learn what she had the past few weeks.
    Let him have his second chance, she told herself. Chace had been given his and succeeded in recovering what he’d lost. Mason would, too. Tomorrow morning, she’d seek him out again to make sure he’d followed through, then put those who insisted on following Freyja and Dillon into