Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page B

from her. “What do you want from me?”
    Before she could blink, thick storm clouds rolled over the sun, darkening the sky to pitch. The color faded from Xyn’s eyes, turning the green to a ghostly white that shimmered and glowed. Her skin faded as strange markings appeared to bisect her cheeks from hairline to jaw. Spiny and jagged, they reminded Edilyn of bleeding thorns, or claws. Morbidly pretty and absolutely terrifying. A set of black wings sprang from her back as she closed the distance between them.
    â€œInnocent or not, makes no never mind. For what you’ve done to my brother, little human … you will die.”

 
    6
    Unwilling to lie down and die without a fight, Edilyn ducked as Xyn flew toward her. She ran for the closest thing she had to use for a weapon—an old hoe someone had cast aside before they’d fled for shelter at Xyn’s earlier approach.
    Aye, it was only slightly better than throwing her dung-encrusted shoe at the demon, but it was better than nothing. She broke the end of it off over her knee to use the handle as a fighting staff, and stood her ground, prepared to battle to the end. Granted, she’d most likely only be able to soil her opponent’s clothes with her own blood. But by the saints, she’d ruin Xyn’s wardrobe if nothing else!
    Yet as Xyn flew in for her, something snatched Edilyn off her feet and cradled her against a solid leathery wall. Her attacker jerked the staff from her hands and cast it to the ground.
    Edilyn started to fight until she realized it was Illarion in his dragon’s body, holding her. Stunned, she froze as he carefully landed a few feet away and set her down with a startling gentleness.
    Transforming into his male personification, he turned to face his sister with a mask of fury that should have sent Xyn fleeing in terror.
    What are you doing? he growled at Xyn.
    â€œProtecting you.”
    From what? She’s a harmless human.
    Brazen and foolish, his sister laughed out loud. “Bullshit. So long as she lives, she’s a weakness … as I just proved. Now, man up, dumbass. Either let me kill her or you two make nice, and you take her back home and stop your infernal moping.”
    I can’t do that.
    Xyn snorted dismissively as she closed the distance between them. “Then you have a big-ass problem, don’t you? Yes, yes, you do. ’Cause you can’t leave her out here where your enemies can use her to lure you to her defense any time they want, can you? No, moron, you can’t .” She poked her finger into his chest to emphasize her angry words. “You’re so lucky I’m the one who stumbled upon her when I wasn’t even looking. Because I thought she was you . I mean, hey, I thought it weird you were out and about after I left you curled up and pouting in your cave yesterday, but hey … possible. You could have come to your senses or gotten hungry. Then, lo and behold, the scent I caught a whiff of wasn’t you. Damned if it wasn’t the little sweet-cheeks you were pining for, out on her own, who reeks of you and your unique powers. Voila! ” She gestured at Edilyn. “And that has disaster written all over it.”
    I hate you . His tone was every bit as sullen as his sister had said.
    Xyn reached up and pinched his cheeks together like a mother might do her toddler child. “Hate me all you want, punkin’, just don’t make me have to spank you. I’m getting too old for this shit. And so are you.”
    Tilting her head, she met Edilyn’s gaze over Illarion’s shoulder. “Sorry I had to scare you. It was the only way to get Sour Sally out of his hole and show him what an idiot he was being. I swear. Take my word on this. Wise up. Get a girlfriend. Men are so not worth the effort, most days.”
    And still Illarion glared at both of them, refusing to reverse his opinion. I can’t trust her.
    â€œYet you