Shattered Code (#11) (Dragon's Fire)

By Danielle Kazemi

Everything seemed perfect only a few days ago. Annabel and Crispin were with one another, no threats remained in the area, and their lives were moving forward. It all changed instantly.

Now instead of having the happily ever after they want, they are pleading to the elder dragons for permission to remain mated to one another. These are the only people who can help them. Whatever price they want, Annabel and Crispin are willing to pay.

The knights have not been quiet. Slowly, they are building up a small army to overtake the Marshal. Almost all of thier plans are complete. Mark finds himself being placed on the wrong side through an accident. Is there really a good side?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Kazemi
• Release date: Sep 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476084480

Danielle Kazemi

Danielle Kazemi is the author of the YA series Dragon's Fire, The Fire Journal, and The Phoenix Token. She's a native from south Louisiana and spends her day balancing between kids and writing.

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Dragon's Fire

Shattered Code

Danielle Kazemi

Copyright 2012 Danielle Kazemi

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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Dragon's Fire

Shattered Code

Danielle Kazemi

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 1

I think I'm going crazy, Sera said walking around the couch for what seemed like the umpteenth time today. Her black hair seemed splayed about, having ran her fingers through it as she continued walking around. She certainly seemed the part of the concerned dragon.

Henry leaned against the wall and watched her with a smile on his face. I think you've worn a path in the carpet. He took another sip from his glass as he continued watching her. There wasn’t much he could do. Every time he tried stopping her, she simply walked around him. Eventually she would wear herself out.

She moved closer towards him and stopped a few paces away. His words struck a chord with her. How can you be so calm about this? Don't you know that at any moment, knights can come charging through the door and kill us?

Ever since the latest incident where they discovered a knight hanging around the outside of their house, Sera felt uncomfortable staying home. Constantly her fear seized her, causing the blinds to be opened and shut at all hours of the day. It appeared as though these people would always be after them. For the rest of her life, she would always need to watch over her shoulder for their next attack.

Things would be better if she could talk with someone about this. She couldn't understand how Henry, a dragon like her, could be so calm about this entire situation. His routine remained the same as before, no safety adjustments needed.

He shrugged and pushed himself off the wall with his back. Holding onto her tightly, he waited until their eyes met and said, If you worry too much about it, it’ll get to you. I need you to calm down. You’re making me worried. He wasn’t worried about the knights – only her driving herself crazy. She was his mate after all. He needed to make sure she remained focused.

Henry, they're coming after us. How can you just stand there as though nothing has changed? That everything is exactly how it was a few weeks ago? Her eyes pleaded with him to do something. She couldn't stand hanging around the house, waiting for the next attack to happen. Being reactive was not the answer. Is there anything I can do to make this better?

He knew her tone of voice well. If he didn't ask her to do something for him, there was a good chance she would continue being worried about everything happening. His mind quickly thought of something simple she could do if only to get out of the house. Now that you mention it, there is one thing.

Perfect. What is it? She was ready for any task.

I need you to go talk to the neighbors. It was the easiest thing to do. He doubted any of the neighbors would even talk to her. Not because she was a dragon – no one knew – but because whatever relationship they had vanished when he started bringing people over earlier for his get-together. Or as Crispin called them – ridiculously loud parties.

She bit her lip for a moment. She couldn’t tell if he was being truthful in needing her to go talk to them or if he was only doing this to make her get out and meet people. Why? If he answered this truthfully, then she would do it. Or maybe not. Her mind was confused.

He laughed, buying himself a few seconds. Remember Mrs. Pennington?

Sera laughed. I sure do. Someone like that you never quite forget. Mrs. Pennington was one of their neighbors before they moved to this new house. She constantly kept tabs on them, knew who was coming in and out. More than once she came over to explain to them who the latest girl or guy coming from the house was. It saved them a few times when knights attempted to attack them there.

That's what we need over here. Someone who decided to take an interest in the house for whatever reason. Preferably an older woman who stays home a lot. He knew older women tended to watch houses in the neighborhood better than anyone else. Their entire lives, it seemed, were devoted to watching the neighborhood whether anyone asked them to or not. Hopefully someone would be willing to cooperate with them on this. Otherwise it would require more constant surveillance. He wasn’t sure if she could find anyone.

Loosening her shoulders a bit, Sera gave in. Okay. It was better than standing around and waiting for something to happen. At least this way she would be out and being proactive. She might even accomplish her goal.

Or if you want, you can stay around here with me. Henry smiled at her. Being around her was always nice and he certainly was not getting bored with her company. He placed his hands on the small of her back and drew her in closer.

She laughed and moved herself near him. Her hands slowly made their way down his chest, feeling him through the shirt he wore. His proposition certainly was welcomed. Well, maybe but -

The back door opened with Jules walking out and holding onto a small device in the palm of his hand. His head bowed, he fiddled with a few dials before asking, Do either of you happen to know - He stopped mid-sentence when he saw both of them standing in a semi-compromised position. He felt his cheeks turning red. I didn't mean to – you know. He looked off to the side, hoping for a distraction to appear. Anything would do at this point.

Henry smiled. It's okay. Happen to know what? He felt Sera pull away from him, sensing it was their proximity which made Jules feel uncomfortable.

Well, Jules started, seeming a bit flustered, I was wondering if you knew what the exact coordinates were of the house but you know, I can always look that up. I’ll look it up. He returned to the room before saying anything else.

Once the door closed, Henry exchanged a look with Sera. He wondered if she knew anything about what happened. I have no idea what that was about.

I know. It's not like we were actually doing anything. It was no longer a secret Henry and Sera were mated to one another. It was normal for them to hold each other and they certainly were not doing anything embarrassing. They learned their lesson from the way Crispin constantly badgered them not to exhibit displays of affection around him.

Maybe we should ask him if he's okay, she