Free Dragon Blood 4: Knight by Avril Sabine Page A

like not being around to guard you when you’re surrounded by enemies. At least Chait was there to watch you.”
    Amber pulled back slightly so she could meet his gaze. This was the moment she’d dreaded. Why did it have to occur so soon after getting home? “Ahh, about that.”
    Kade drew away from her. “What about it?”
    Maira stepped outside, Brann close behind her. “You’re back.” Her welcoming grin faded as she looked from one to the other. “What happened?”
    “Well, Amber?” Kade asked.
    “The headquarters isn’t a normal building. Well, it’s a normal building, but I guess it’s not made normally.”
    “Amber.” There was a warning in Kade’s voice.
    “Dragon’s can’t stay in the Void inside it.”
    “You’re only just telling me this now?”
    “I’ll go finish getting ready for school.” Maira hurried away, Brann and Cooper on her heels.
    “Well?”
    Amber crossed her arms. “Ronan knew.”
    “So!”
    “What could you have done? Nothing. I was safe.” She’d tell him about the dragon bone incident later.
    “You don’t know that. They could be planning anything. You’re not going back.”
    Amber grinned at him, stepping forward to wrap her arms around his waist. “I missed you too.”
    “I’m serious.”
    “I made a deal. There’s only five more weekends to get through.”
    “And weekdays.”
    “They’re only a couple of hours each. Easy compared to an entire weekend.” At least she hoped. She rested her head against him. “Can we forget about them for a bit? I don’t want to think about the Knights again until tomorrow afternoon.” It was impossible to keep the weariness from her voice.
    Kade’s arms went around her, holding her tight. “Was it that bad? What happened?”
    She guessed later had arrived. “I couldn’t find the dinning room Friday night and missed dinner. Saturday morning they tried to make me eat dragon bone and Sunday I cut Jennifer during sword practice.”
    “She probably deserved it. And you better not have eaten any dragon bone.”
    “No, Ronan’s already told me it weakens dragons and mages.”
    “I’ll go with you in future.”
    Amber pulled away from him, shaking her head. “Are you crazy? They’d kill you.”
    “I don’t want you there on your own.”
    “Too bad.”
    They were still glaring at each other when Maira came outside, holding Amber’s schoolbag out to her. “Time for school or we’ll be late.”
    “We’ll finish this later,” Kade warned.
    Amber picked up her bag and tossed it to Cooper who had followed Maira onto the verandah. “Put that in my room.” She took the schoolbag from Maira and followed her to the car, Kade beside her. “I need a sword.”
    “You’ve already got one.” Kade slid into the car after her.
    “It’s too heavy for me. I need one I can use.” And one that didn’t remind her of killing Paili every time she looked at it.
    “You could ask Rian to see what we’ve got at Temolae Keep. There’s probably all sorts of weapons in the armoury.”
    Amber pulled out her phone. “Good idea.” She typed in a message and sent it to Rian.
I need a sword. One light enough I can use.
She rested her head against Kade, not looking forward to a day of school. Not long now and she’d be finished. Maybe she should take a year off before she thought about uni. Life was too crazy these days to even think about adding anything else to the already long list of things that needed to be done. A list that seemed to grow longer instead of shorter.

Chapter Nine
    Amber’s arms tightened around Kade, not wanting to let him go. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon hadn’t been too bad. She’d known she wouldn’t be at the headquarters long and Kade was waiting for her. They’d argued over it, but he hadn’t listened. So the previous afternoons she’d had three dragons waiting in the Void. But today was different. Today she’d once again be stuck at the headquarters for an entire weekend. She