Breath of Fire by Liliana Hart

improve his mood.
    Calista hadn’t bothered to wrap herself in one of the numerous blankets that were placed around the room. She stood at the bar, naked as a baby, drinking another whiskey, and I rolled my eyes before I could control it. None of the Ancients had problems with nudity. I, however, still wasn’t used to it, even after all these centuries.
    “I brought you some of your old things,” I said.
    She held out her hand without looking at me, and I placed the clothes in it. “This place hasn’t changed much,” she said. “I still hate it.” She slipped the caftan over her head and knocked back the rest of the whiskey like it was water. She walked over to a club chair angled next to the fireplace, sat down and pulled on the slippers. “Bring me another whiskey, Rena. It’s cold out.”
    I did as I was told. I wasn’t sure how I should act with Calista, or why she was even there. I felt a kind of responsibility toward her that people of my race don’t often have—caused by the human in me, no doubt. We’re predators by nature. Solitary creatures who stay within our immediate family circle forever. There’s loyalty toward the clan, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our basic wants or needs.
    I never had a mother growing up. I didn’t know my biological mother’s name or what happened to her (though I’d always suspected Alasdair killed her), but my earliest memories were of Calista. She was the one who raised me and schooled me. She and Erik had been the only two people I’d had much contact with when I was a newling—and Calista only spent the time with me because it was her duty to find and train the next Enforcer, just like I was doing with Cal. Since the ability of Enforcer was contained to only our clan, it wasn’t difficult to find those who had the power. When we had our yearly gathering, everyone’s powers were observed for any signs of rare Drakán abilities—especially the ability of mind control.
    “Alasdair is angry with you,” Calista said. “I can feel the heat of his rage at your defiance. You smell of human.”
    I kept my face blank of emotion as I reached out with my senses to see if she spoke the truth. It took all my control not to flinch at the scalding burn of his anger.
    “I did what was right,” I said. “The Drakán children were my concern, and they were being poorly treated. Our clan needs their strength.”
    “Don’t lie to me, Rena. The pity you feel for all of them reeks from your pores. If you keep defying your father he will eventually let go of his control completely and convince the Council to lift the ban on our safety. If that happens, he will kill you. And he’ll have just cause.”
    “I will continue to do what I see fit, Aunt Calista. I know exactly what I am, no thanks to you, and I’ll keep damning you all to the Realm of the Dead until we change our ways and become a thriving society. We’re as good as dead if we continue on the same path.”
    Her eyes darkened in anger, and I waited for her attack, but she stayed seated. There was no point at being angry with Calista. She’d dumped this job on me and left without a goodbye for her own self-preservation. I understood exactly how she’d felt. Living with Alasdair wasn’t easy. Sometimes I wished I could move out and just disappear—live a life of solitude with the possessions I held most dear, much like Calista was doing—but until our antiquated laws were changed or Alasdair was killed, I was stuck here. Besides, my human conscience wouldn’t let me leave Cal unprepared to face misbehaving dragons like Calista had done with me.
    “Open the drapes. The rain soothes me,” she said.
    “What are you doing here, Calista?” I asked tiredly. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t have time to deal with this. I’ve got to get out of here.”
    “You will deal with this. And you will listen carefully. Now open the damned drapes.”
    I fumed silently as I walked to the heavy red drapes and