Free Dragonfire: Freedom in Flames (Secrets of the Makai Book 3) by Toni Kerr Page A

least their last chat didn’t go so bad.
    “We’re hoping to go in about an hour,” added Victor. “It’ll give you time to shower and it’ll take that long just to get up the stairs.”
    Tristan let his head flop against the back of the couch, dreading the idea.
    “You do still want to go, don’t you?” Landon asked. He held out a hand for Pink and she settled gracefully.
    “Definitely.”
    “And you’re sure you don’t want me to make some breakfast first?” asked Victor.
    “I’m sure. Thanks.”
    “All right then.” Landon opened the front door. Pink took off at full speed. “I’ll set up the meeting while you get showered.”
    Tristan sat with his eyes closed until Victor startled him awake. “You really should shower. We have time.”
    “I don’t think Dorian cares.”
    “Well, you might care if you saw yourself in a mirror. Besides, it’s all about impressions. She might not notice if you do take a shower, but she definitely will if you don’t.
    “That bad, eh?”
    Victor smiled.
    “Fine. But I’m not doing it to impress her. I just need to wake up.”
    “Whatever you say, man.” Victor handed him a folded pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “I’ll wait here if you need anything.”
    The shower helped immensely, and luckily, the excitement of getting back outside outweighed the lull of sleep induced by the hot water. They were halfway up the spiral staircase before he needed to sit down and rest. “Here’s a question. Why can’t I just transport myself up?”
    Landon and Victor glanced at each other before Victor answered. “It’s not technically possible, as part of the built-in security of the structure itself, but you have managed before.”
    “And Donovan said I shouldn’t let this power sit idle for too long, so....”
    “It doesn’t exactly take that much,” argued Victor.
    In the end, neither could give him a good reason not to. “I don’t care; I’m doing it. Wake me up when you get to the top.”
    The instant Tristan transported himself, noisy chaos and swirls of furious blinding lights filled him with trepidation. Molajah? He’d forgotten about the maddening lights when being transported; the council yanking him away from his own reality while in the flux of transport. Where’s the falcon? Tristan called, not caring if it was Molajah or the council instigating contact. We had a deal!
    Pitches and tones changed octaves and speeds until Tristan could pick up on a few words. No longer…guardian...no authority.
    Molajah said he had authority. I did my part!
    The voices seemed more stable now. You are bound by a contract to protect. We know your plans. Do not break the contract.
    I don’t have any plans. May as well see what they knew.
    You intend to free the beings from the safety of their stones.
    Dang. They did know. Tristan figured out which light was speaking and squared his shoulders to it. Shouldn’t they be given the chance to survive on their own?
    The orb of light hovered closer. Their only chance for survival is to remain hidden in safety.
    But they’ll never be free , interrupted Tristan. What kind of life is that?
    Look at how the humans have treated you. The world can’t handle magical creatures. Even your human allies are forced to remain in hiding.
    They only hide their abilities.
    The faeries won’t have that option. If they are seen, they will be captured and annihilated in the name of science.
    They should be free to make that choice.
    Free to be slaughtered? They won’t have numbers on their side, or warriors, or strategist. They won’t know anything about the current technologies.
    I do understand your point, Tristan conceded. But what if I change into a dragon and I forget all of you, along with this stupid contract, and I start eating the friends who are only trying to help me, by taming me into some overgrown pet?
    So be it. If you are unable to free the races, they will simply remain in safekeeping. As for your allies, the fewer people who