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We ran into the house, leaving the doors open behind us. The lower hallway was empty and quiet. Langston led the way to the library. As we rounded a corner, Langston pulled back just in time to dodge the slash of a blade. The attacker came around the corner swinging wildly. Langston grabbed his hand, but took a hard punch to the jaw. Before the man could take advantage of his momentary victory, I dove at him. My hands and nails made it to his face and I clawed as best I could, creating long streaks of blood and nearly blinding him. Langston recovered and pulled me away. The blade dropped to the ground as Langston twisted his arm. I heard a crunch as the man's bone shattered. He fell to the ground in pain. I gathered up his short sword and we continued on to the library.

We slowed as we approached the door. Something looked wrong. While the library had a lock and key like every other door in the house, someone had gone to the trouble of attaching a barn door latch. It was not barred, but I didn't like the look of it. Langston told me to wait. He opened the door and cautiously stepped through. I heard muffled cries. In the center of the room, I could see my father and aunt, tied up and gagged. Langston moved into the room, checking around the corners as he made his way to the hostages. "Maybe they ran for it?" I asked. Then the trap was sprung.

Theo grabbed me from behind, pinning my arms to my sides and forcing the blade out of my hand. Another man moved quickly and silently to the door, slamming it shut before Langston realized. The man dropped the bar in the latch just as Langston pulled hard on the door. The whole wall seemed to shake, but it did not move. Theo's shoulder was in a sling, but his other arm was still strong enough to hold me. "Quickly, down the back," he urged the other man. I kicked and thrashed as they started to pull me away. I expected Langston to burst through the door, but, though the door shook violently, he couldn't break the small timber. He couldn't change without crushing my family in the process. I called out for other help, but the noise of the mob outside spoiled any chance of being heard. The two men dragged me out of the back of the house. Theo held me in place while his friend went to retrieve a horse. "Quit struggling."

"What do you think this will accomplish? Langston will come for me. No matter where you take me."

"Father was a greedy fool. He should have prepared better. He actually didn't think you'd come back at all. When your pet comes looking for you, we'll be ready. Get on the horse." I pulled and twisted, but as I resisted, the other man struck me. Theo looked on in disdain, but said nothing. I saw no point in being beaten. Unconscious or battered, I would have fewer chances to escape. Theo climbed up behind me and turned back to his friend. "Go around front. Delay them from finding the beast. Kill any that you can. If you make it away, head for Hartfell, you'll know where to look for us." The man nodded silently and went back into the house. Theo turned the horse and headed us away from Annandale at a gallop.

His arm was a weak spot. I thought of shoving hard against his wounded shoulder and then throwing myself from the back of the horse. The ground was dark and we were moving too fast. I was just as likely to break my neck, but as we moved further and further from my home and from Langston, I saw no other choice as Theo showed no intention of stopping until he was as far as possible from the dragon. Over the loud thud of hooves, I heard a crash. Theo must have heard it too as he slowed the horse and turned back to look. From the upstairs window, a figure had burst through the glass. As it fell, it grew wings and great claws. Langston almost hit the ground, but swooped up in time as he continued to grow to his full size. After regaining height, his eyes scanned the area and focused directly on us. Theo reined the horse and directed it towards the forest. If he made the trees, Langston would find it difficult to follow. My heart pounded in my chest as they raced. The tree line rushed towards us and Theo leaned forward, pushing me against the horse to gain speed. A huge black form rushed over us and crashed into the ground in our path. The horse reared and Theo and I fell backwards. I landed on top of him with a thud and heard him groan as the wind rushed out of him.

"Anna!" Langston boomed. His head dropped near me as I rolled to my side.

"I'm fine, just the --" I felt something cold move against my back and my clothes were suddenly warm. I collapsed as Theo rose to his feet, a bloodied blade in his hand.

"You ruined everything! You took everything from me, monster! Now you can watch her die."

My hand moved down to the wound in my stomach. I pressed against it hard and the sharp cut of pain spread through my body. I cried out, but it was not heard over Langston's furious roar. With one flick of his paw, Theo went flying across the field. Langston charged over to him and again struck him, making him crumple like a marionette with cut strings. I saw Theo clearly one last time. His handsome face was battered and bloody. His limbs were mangled and scarred. Before the final blow came, he looked at me with mournful eyes and I pitied him. The young man had caused so much grief, but in that moment he was entirely alone. Langston's rage was not sated. His claw raked down the back of the human, a fine mist of blood filling the night air. Theo's body fell and did not move again. The last of Lockes was dead.

I tried to call out to Langston, but could not. My legs felt numb and I fatigue started to take me. It seemed like only hours ago that I was riding to the market with my aunt. Langston's claws closed around me gently. The ground dropped from beneath me as we rose into the sky. The beat of the wings seemed softer and in the distance, I could see the sky warming with the first rays of sunlight. My vision started to fade. I felt us land and then more people gathered around me. I was carried inside the house. My father's voice echoed in my head, telling me I would be alright. Aunt Ethel's hand clenched mine as another man hovered over me, pulling and prodding at my stomach. Through it all, Langston's warmth was with me, keeping at bay the encroaching cold. I dreamed and saw him asleep in a meadow.

I woke in my room. I looked around immediately for Langston, instead I saw two women. An older woman I did not recognize and Marie. Her face brightened. "Lady Anna, can you hear me?" I tried to speak, but my throat was dry. I nodded and smiled weakly. "Good! Good, now don't try to move, you're still very ill."

The other woman walked over to me. Though I did not know her, she seemed familiar and inviting. In the light, I could see a wide scar running down the side of her face. I tried to sit up and she tutted at me, "Stay, child. Or you will undo all our hard work." I recognized her voice. "I am Ryontha the Red. We came as soon as we heard. Young Marie would not take no for an answer and I would not allow her out of my care. I have commended your doctors for doing the best they could, but a dragon's touch can go a long way. Dragon mending takes time and rest. Marie, go fetch Langston. He's been having fits since I banned him from the room, but I couldn't tolerate his brooding any longer." Marie kissed my forehead. She bowed to Ryontha and then scurried from the room. "You'll have a scar, I'm afraid. I hear they're fashionable these days though." She turned her head to me to better show off the gash. "Hessa's work. Now we both have reminders to be wary of those hungry for power. Now then, let's see. Before he arrives, we should discuss Langston. He has no brood mother or a sire. Even his human foster parents have passed on. I've been quite fond of him and we've grown close over the past few days. He's not of my flight, but for what it's worth, I've given you my blessing. Langston is meant for great things and his devotion to you is going to be part of that. You both will always be welcome at the Roost."

I nodded, genuinely thankful for her kind words, and wanted to reply, but Langston charged into the room and over to my side. He hand grasped mine, "Anna! You're finally back. I was so worried. I don't know what I would have done without you. I love you."

"I love you too, Langston. I dreamed of you. I want to be married...in a meadow." Talking took more energy than I thought, but he smiled at me as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Then we will be." He kissed my lips lightly and I smiled at the familiar singe of heat. "Lord Ingram and Lady Ethel are waiting. The whole household wants to see you. And the whole town after that."

Ryontha stood up and walked to the door. "They can wait a while longer. I'll go inform them that you've recovered. Have a few moments of privacy in the meantime." She closed the door behind her.

"Kiss me again," I asked. His lips pressed against mine and I felt some of his heat flow into my body. "What happened? How long have I been asleep? The last thing I remember was falling from the horse."

Langston's face darkened. "Theodore attempted to kill you to spite me. He stabbed you through the back. I took you back to the house and then fetched the doctor. You should have seen his face when a dragon knocked on his door at dawn. Everyone has been worried sick over you. He cleaned the wound and sewed you up, but warned of infection and fever. I flew to the Roost for help. I expected one of her consorts to come back with me, but she brought them all and herself. Ryontha is a great dragon. You should have seen them. Dozens in the skies coming down into the town. She's had them healing and helping wherever the dragon hunters caused harm."

"What about Theo?"

"He...died. I regret it now, but for all I knew he had murdered you. I could not stop myself."

"Where is his body?"

"Your father insisted they be taken back to Lady Grace. Her son and husband."

"And the Duke?"

"Taken to Parliament to stand trial. They raided Hartfell and Coren. More than enough evidence was found to damn the Duke four times over. He'll be hanged."

"That's the end of it then? What happens now?"

Langston smiled and leaned his forehead against mine, "Now we can be safe and happy, together."

The door opened and my father, Aunt Ethel, and Elsa charged into the room. They showered me with kisses. All three of them cried. My father begged for forgiveness for letting me anywhere near danger. Aunt Ethel and Elsa commended my bravery. They spoke to Langston like a son. Eventually, Ryontha ushered them out of the room, but left Langston. He held my hand as I drifted off to sleep.