Free Dragon Blood 2: Wyvern by Avril Sabine

because that role has never suited you. Let’s hope you make a better uncle.”
    Ronan stared at her intently. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very odd?”
    “Quite a few times.” Amber smiled fleetingly, a little more easy about Ronan’s intentions. It was probably past time to change the subject before she ruined all the progress she’d made. “Have you learned anything from your captives?”
    “Only that they must enjoy pain.”
    Amber screwed up her face. “Please. I don’t want to hear the gory stuff.” She bit back the words she really wanted to say, knowing that no matter what she said, he’d continue to treat his captives however he wanted.
    “See, we’re nothing alike.”
    Amber met his ancient, pale blue eyes. “Did you like hearing about torture when you were nearly seventeen?”
    “That was centuries ago. As if I’d remember.”
    “I think you do.” She had probably pushed him far enough for one day. Smiling, she linked her arm through Ronan’s, ignoring his fleeting look of surprise. “Enough with stress and drama. I was taking a walk to leave all that behind. Since you chased Rian away, how about you tell me the names of the plants I point out to you. Everything is so different here.” She was amazed when Ronan fell into step beside her, but she made sure she didn’t show it. “That one. What is it? I love the colour of its flowers.”

Chapter Eight
    Amber pushed away from Kade as she tried to answer her phone. She swatted his hands out of the way while she looked at the display.
    “Hello, Ronan.”
    “What are you doing right now?”
    “Making out with Kade.”
    “Do you really think I want to hear that?”
    “Then why did you ask me what I was doing?”
    Ronan sighed. “Are you busy?”
    Amber laughed. “Didn’t I just say I was?”
    “Amber! You’re trying my patience.”
    “Then why don’t you ask me what you really want to know?”
    “The assassin that is still alive says he’ll only talk to you.”
    Amber frowned. “Still alive?”
    “The other one died. When can you get here?”
    She thought it best not to ask for more details on the dead assassin. There were some things she was probably better off not knowing, for the sake of her sanity. “We had planned to make an attack on the wyvern nest tomorrow morning.”
    “Then you better get over here tonight.”
    Amber stifled a yawn. “I’m already in bed.”
    “Do you really think that matters to me?”
    Amber sighed. “Okay. I’ll be there as soon as possible. But if I fall off Kade mid-flight tomorrow morning due to lack of sleep it’s your fault.”
    “Strap yourself in properly and it won’t be an issue. And bring Crystal with you. I don’t know if this is a trap. I won’t have anyone in the Void. If she sees anyone in it, they aren’t mine. As far as I know, no one knows about the location of this house, but complacency leads to death.” Ronan hung up before Amber could reply.
    She sighed as she dropped back on the bed to stare up at the canopy of Kade’s bed. “So much for an early night.”
    “Don’t complain to me. I tried to stop you from answering the phone.”
    Amber ignored Kade and rolled out of bed, taking the leather pants and jacket Rian held out for her. “Thanks.”
    “I have contacted Orin so he can inform Flinn and Crystal,” Rian said.
    “Why didn’t you just let Crystal know?” Amber asked.
    “As I am your first warrior, I notify Flinn’s first warrior. It is inappropriate for me to directly contact Flinn or Crystal except in extreme circumstances.”
    Amber grinned. “You’re my only warrior. And I’m sure it would have been much more fun to horrify Flinn by contacting Crystal.”
    “You will have to learn the proper way to do things eventually. People have died from giving smaller insults.”
    “That would be an insult?” Amber stared at Rian. “Seriously?” She shook her head when he nodded. “You people are warped.”
    Kade grabbed her around the