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

when it’s happening, and so far, you have been able to control it. So stop trying to stay awake, get some sleep, and you’ll have a better mindset about it.”
    “You make it sound easy.”
    “Well, it isn’t as hard as how you’re making it. Besides, how are you going to face Lazaro or that dragon in the Forest of Darkness when you’re half asleep most of the time? You can’t walk for more than ten steps and I guarantee Donovan isn’t going to let you go in your current physical condition.”
    “So eat and sleep, like he said,” Victor scolded, though his tone had lost the hints of irritation. “We’ll wake you up in the morning. Nine hours and no more.”
    “Fine. I’ll try bread.”
    Victor retrieved a paper bag from the kitchen counter, then pulled out three slices of seeded bread. “Butter?”
    “Is it…does it have.…” The idea of his food being alive made him gag. “No thanks.”
     

8

    APPROVAL
    SOMETHING DIFFERENT was moving through the forest outside. Tristan perked up at the sound of crunching leaves, footsteps cutting a path through the trees. “Samara?” he whispered, curious if she picked fall for this very reason, so he could be warned if anyone approached the cabin. “Who’s out there?”
    Samara didn’t reply.
    Tristan made his way to the dresser for a T-shirt and almost forgot to grab the staff on his way outside. He paused with one foot in the crunching leaves; the same warning system would work both ways, alerting outsiders of his approach.
    He created a slight breeze to rustle the leaves, letting the wind circle the entire forest to make the same noise everywhere before he started walking.
    Energy raced through his skin. He moved quickly into the deeper parts of the forest, until he saw Donovan sitting cross-legged on a small knoll.
    “Not bad,” he said, keeping his eyes closed and his shoulders relaxed. “I suspected the room before you. Are you attempting to sneak up on me for a reason? To train, perhaps?”
    “No.” Tristan stepped out from behind a tree. “Samara wouldn’t tell me who was here, so I just.…”
    “Good. Perhaps dragons are curious in nature.”
    “I’m—” Tristan snapped his mouth shut. This was not the argument he wanted to waste his energy on.
    “Your maps are in that case.” Donovan jerked his head toward a thin metal box, large enough for the maps to lay flat.
    “Thanks. Is that all of them?”
    “I have one in storage with the museum items.”
    Tristan took a few more steps forward, debating whether he should sit and get comfortable. “When can I see it?”
    “When I know you’ve eaten a decent meal.”
    “I have to see Dorian first.”
    “Why? She has nothing to do with your food.”
    “It’s none of your business, okay? I just need to talk to her.”
    “Oliver forbids it.”
    “So what? This is important.”
    Donovan rolled his shoulders and neck, but kept his eyes closed. “Landon showed me your list. Dorian doesn’t feel like the highest priority.”
    “You said it yourself; I need to start with the very basics. And in this case, it’s food . Do you think I want to wither away like this? I think Dorian can help me with that. And Pink. I would like Dorian’s help in figuring out what sort of flower she needs, because I have no idea how long her lifespan is, and I hate to think the pixies will become extinct a second time just because I fell asleep one day and didn’t get around to it.”
    Donovan nodded, moving from his neck and shoulders to stretching his arms. “Very well. And what about Lazaro and this dragon? Are your motivations equally as admirable?”
    “I doubt it.” Tristan knelt in the leaves and sat on his heels. “I need something from each of them before I do anything, and I don’t actually know if what they want is possible.”
    “Lazaro believes you are unwilling to fulfill your end of the bargain, but I refuse to permit this meeting until you are in more stable condition.”
    “But what