Crimson Blade (#17) (Dragon's Fire)

By Danielle Kazemi

Dark days loom for the dragons. Crispin and the others are forced into turning to his family for support while the dragons and knights continue to pursue them. With so many against him, it seems nearly impossible to restore his name.

Mandy is keeping watch over the knights in the Order, making sure they are capable of handling the renegade forces. When she notices a crowd gathering at Grand Rode, she isn't quite prepared for what's about to happen.

No one is safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Kazemi
• Release date: Apr 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301005673

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.

Book preview

Dragon's Fire

Crimson Blade

Danielle Kazemi

Copyright 2013 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.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dragon's Fire

Crimson Blade

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

Crispin drummed his fingers against the steering wheel; his eyes darting from one side to the next as he continued driving down the road. He wasn’t sure if his nervousness came from worrying about the dragons, knights, and Unseen chasing him – or the dread of meeting his parents once again. Meeting them shouldn’t be this difficult. Perhaps it would be a different story if he hadn’t been so angry the last time he truly talked with them.

They weren’t particularly set against him becoming an Unseen fighter but they certainly tried their hardest to make him see it wasn’t the best lifestyle to take. When they sent Sera to him later, he almost didn’t believe it. They wanted her to learn how to become independent or at least expose her to the outside world. In a way, he felt their acceptance because of this act but he remained uncertain until he heard the words coming from their mouth. His eyes lifted to the rearview mirror and he saw his sister’s dark haired head sleeping against the body of his friend –her mate – Henry.

She never explained exactly what happened to make their parents send her away. He decided not to bring it up. His goal was to make sure she learned how to fight against the Unseen which proved to be one of the most difficult tasks he ever undertook. Even now she wasn’t the best when it came to going against these creatures and they had been training together for over ten years.

He heard a rustling coming from his right side and immediately turned towards it. Annabel mumbled in her sleep as she made herself comfortable in the seat next to him; her hand curled underneath her head. He smiled. Only a few days ago he thought he lost her forever but he was glad he was wrong. She did present another problem though – one he’d have trouble with if his parents found out.

They would be furious when they found out he wanted to make a human woman his mate. Perhaps things wouldn’t be so bad if he had a brother. With him rested the future of their family lineage and it was important in dragon society to continue their line.

Are you okay? Annabel looked at him with half closed eyes; a slight smile on her face. A red mark ran across her cheek showing she slept on the seatbelt at some point.

He smiled back and reached across the space to touch her face slightly. I’m fine.

You’re not tired? She sat straighter in her seat, stretching her muscles as best she could in the confined space.

Not really, he said shaking his head, I don’t really have a choice. The dragons have probably already gone there. I hope we make it in time. He furrowed his brow at the thought of the dragons breaking into his parents’ home. The betrayal of the elders stung with each passing moment.

Carly, his ex-girlfriend from years past, explained to him as they ran through the forest from the knights how the dragons decided Crispin and his friends were the ones who went against the dragon kind. They were to be hunted down and destroyed. It was all a lie – done because he didn’t want to lead the army of dragons for Lysander. His fingers scrapped against the wheel at the hateful thought.

Annabel nodded and yawned, rotating her shoulders slightly. We’re going to make it in time. I doubt anyone decided to go there. You told me it was years since you last talked to them; let alone visited.

He nodded to himself. Hopefully they all think like you. I’m only worried if Carly decides to go. It might complicate things.

Annabel shifted herself uncomfortably at the mention of Carly’s name. Why would she complicate things? I’d assume they wouldn’t want anything to do with her since she broke your heart. She felt a sinking feeling in her heart she was wrong. She hoped her instincts were still crazy from everything else happening around her. For once, she didn’t want to be right.

Crispin focused his attention back on the road, not knowing how he should answer Annabel’s question. He decided it might be better to be straightforward so there were no complications when she arrived. They really liked her. That’s part of the reason we had an argument the last time we met. They wanted me to apologize, settle down, and do everything she wanted.

He felt himself getting furious thinking about what happened almost a decade ago. He couldn’t believe they thought she was the best thing for him. In the end, he felt like she was choking him to death.

Well, Annabel said as she smiled at him, I’m really glad you didn’t listen. Her hand touched his lightly, running her thumb along the outer edge of his palm.

He turned to the side and caught her smile. He needed to tell her one more thing and he was certain it would erase her happiness. I have to warn you. They might not like you the first time you meet them. He hoped he could prepare her for what was going to happen on the way over there. Being a human was one thing but being a knight also drew in another obstacle to her acceptance.

She bit her lip; taking in his words. In the past few months, she came to realize when dragons were concerned about something, she should be too. "They’re not going to attack