Blazed by Amber Kallyn

was going to come out and tell her how he felt. It didn’t matter he’d never been able to make a relationship work. With this woman, he wanted to try. If that meant following her all around the doggone country with the band up on stage screeching like lunatics, so be it.
    He wasn’t going to let this strange, fragile thing between them go. He refused to let her go. Now he just had to convince the beautiful, stubborn woman of such a thing.
    “How can y’all stand such caterwauling?” Fred asked.
    Calla laughed. “I just don’t listen. The band’s actually pretty good. If they had a singer who could sing, they’d probably be big.”
    “I can’t take it no more. Scott, you take me home?” Fred pleaded.
    The fireman looked like he wanted to say no. Instead, he glared at Ty. “Keep an eye on her.” He nodded to Calla.
    Repressing his grin, Ty replied, “I’ve told you. She’s been my sister longer than your wife. She’s still in one piece, ain’t she?”
    With a snort, Scott led Fred toward the backstage exit.
    Calla leaned against Ty, holding his hand. “That old man is hilarious. Guess teenagers’ music just isn’t to his taste.”
    “Mine either,” Ty said grumpily, wishing he could grab Bree and leave too.
    Calla smacked his shoulder. “Quit tensing up. You keep making my pillow wiggle.”
    “Then maybe you should have brought a real one, rather than depending on my arm.” He drew her closer and tried to stay still as the band moved into yet another number that made his head pound with all the screaming Donovan was doing.
    * * *
    Bree watched the stage, the crowd and everywhere else she could see for any sign of attack. Nothing had happened all night. It was deceptive, she was certain.
    From everything the Dragos had said about this master, he wouldn’t just give up. Unless he planned to follow them to Washington.
    The thought made her breath stop. What would she do if that happened? If this dark mage decided it was too risky here, he could just follow them. In Washington, she wouldn’t have the protection of Ty Dragos.
    Bree slammed the console, switching the finale works on.
    Damn it all.
    Why was she even pondering such things? What was it this man managed to do to her in three short days? Tying her up in knots of confusing emotions.
    The band began their final number. Bree watched the control panel. Everything was moving as it should. As the band reached the first chorus, flames shot up from the two far ends of the stage. The crowd, like usual, went wild, screaming for more.
    Bree gave it to them.
    Fire exploded high above the stage, turning into glittering sparkles as it drifted through the air to dust the stage. The band hit the final note, drawing the sound out. Bree kept time, waiting, waiting. Donovan stopped singing and the last explosion rocketed the stage on cue.
    The individual platforms everyone stood on began to rise as flames licked along the bases -- contained properly.
    High above the stadium, fire spread across the sky. Not a part of the show. Bree took a deep breath as her gaze was caught by the orange sky.
    It was time -- and this fight she would not lose.
    * * *
    Ty stared at the flames licking over the sky. Dark shapes emerged. Calla’s grip tightened on his arm. “He’s here,” she said.
    “Get Bree,” Ty shouted as the dark shapes resolved into dragons. Three. All black.
    “You can’t fight them all alone,” she protested.
    “Get Bree.” Ty jumped from his seat and raced outside. As soon as he cleared the building, he shifted. He jumped into the air, pushing his bulk to intercept the dragons descending on the concert.
    The crowd was cheering wildly, as if this was all part of the show. Stupid humans.
    He flew through the air, aiming for the largest dragon. Bowing his head, he slammed into the Other’s side, his horns slicing through scales and skin.
    The dragon bellowed.
    Ty twisted to rake his claws along its wings.
    Hurt, the creature screamed, blowing a dark