The Twin Dragons Series: Dragon's Blood

Silence is hard to keep, but it’s the only way I can hear everything.

People think I’m quiet. They probably don’t realize that even if my mouth doesn’t say much, my ears are always listening to their words.

It’s a sensory overload, and a real pain in the ass.

I can’t stand people. I can’t stand anyone. I don’t enjoy anyone’s company. I don’t even like my own mother.

Sounds harsh? Well, who would like a mother who’s so obsessed with her mates that she enjoys wearing a leash and collar all day and night?

I don’t know why I’m thinking about silence so much until I realize it’s the pause from the band on stage.

I’m lying on my stomach, my chin resting on my hands, as I hide on a ledge in Deep Cavern.

Once a treasure-filled cave, this massive cavern is now a public center for arts and performances.

As far as I know, it was my Uncle Mason’s idea to educate the slaves of the Requiem Horde and give them a reason to work with more passion under my father’s rule.

Hael and Lochness are my dads. They’re twins but both mated to Madeline, my mother.

The band starts playing another song, and I sigh, my black hair hanging over the rock as I relax more into my hands.

The crowd of slaves have the day off. They are dancing or quietly standing and listening.

You know what? I lied. I don’t hate everyone equally.

I prefer slaves over Dragons.

The slaves are still annoying, but they are…humble.

The young Dragons are obnoxiously irritating. I’ve never met such brutes in my whole life. Not a bone of humanity in their bodies, they are completely consumed with their purity of magic.

Unfortunately, they are my friends because they are all my age.

When I was born, there was a Dragon fledgling boom of little brats. We are all eighteen now, but I still fail to hear any mature thoughts.

I’m about to doze off, completely content listening to the band play soft music.

I like music because it drowns out all the thoughts I can hear from everyone around me.

It helps me sleep.

My momentary peace doesn’t last long, however.

I’m jolted back to awareness when a spike of arrogance and a shiver of grace runs down my spine. How else can I describe how potent the intrusive feeling is?

I’m instantly on my elbows, ready to bolt, my nose wrinkling in disgust as I notice the two young princes enter the cavern.

One has cobalt blue hair. Thaddeus—or, as every doe-eyed female referred to him, “Thad.” He is arrogance.

The other has midnight blue hair. Sylvan. He doesn’t have a nickname because his name is already perfect. He is grace.

And they are both the bane of my existence.

Every girl here would die if I told them how those boys made me feel: odd, nervous even. But I would never tell a soul.

Because then I would be told I had a crush on them. And I’d be molded into a part of the fangirl club.

No, thank you.

So I stick to thinking I feel nothing but disdain for them, and I avoid them at all costs.

I watch as the attention in the room is completely flipped from the band to the handsome boys. I hear multiple girly sighs and even a few squeals.

While the girls below me melt and the princes smile and gloat as they come in to “chat” with their loyal fans, I make my move to leave.

I push up onto my feet and hands while I glare at them. Almost instantaneously, as they are now directly below me, the twins both look up and meet my gaze.

I scowl and turn on my heel as my prying mind seeps into theirs without my control.

I scowl as I feel them both bring up a mental block. They know I’m in their heads. Not to mention, their attempt at a mental block is worthless. I could break it down if I wanted to.

They’re lucky I don’t.

I stop in my tracks as I squeeze between the narrow cave exit off my secret ledge. I didn’t expect to hear from my father, Lochness.

I bite my lip as I think of a good response.

I have great respect for Lochness—or, as my mother liked to call him, “Nessy.” Such a stupid nickname… But anyway, Lochness understands me.

I am a Rogue like him. He doesn't like people either. But he is also terribly smart, which is why I avoid telling him too much.

He considers me his babygirl, his babycakes. In other words, people tend to die if I told him who is pissing me off.

Being the daughter of the two Dragon Lords doesn’t just mean I have two ruthless fathers. We also have normal moments too. Like fancy dinners with guests all the time.

Tonight, I knew exactly who would be attending. Besides my parents and my brother, I knew Althor, the Dragon Lord of the Horde of Fortune, must be visiting.

Althor always brought Thaddeus and Sylvan over. They were his nephews.

Luckily, Thad and Sylvan never came to the dinners—they prefer to go hunting.

The only person I really talk to is my brother. I don’t even like him that much, but we’ve been communicating since we were born, so I’m used to being honest with him.

I always get irritated when he tries to boss me around.

Lex’s mention of Althor sets off alarm bells in my head. I don’t respond, but I start making my way to the meeting cave where our dinner is set to take place.

Whatever Althor is planning, I might as well get it over with.