Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

**Draven**

I keep wondering if I should have followed Cassius and Avery. That strange feeling has kept growing. When I was on my

way to pick up the Hags from Jessica’s home, I got a text from her stating that the girls had last minute shopping to do

and to wait for them in front of the school instead. At first, I didn’t think anything of it but as my trepidation grew so did

my assumption that the Hags were going to attack Avery. My poor friend can’t have a normal moment, at least she did

get a formal proposal. Oh shit! What is going to happen when her tormentors learn that she’s engaged?

I was left waiting for nearly an hour when my dates, and I use that term loosely, showed up. They look elegant but I smell

Avery on them. Just what the fuck have they done? Once inside, I make eye contact with Conner and Clint. I motion for

them to meet me outside. I left my dates to socialize with the other cheerleaders as I snuck out. “Have you heard from

Cassius or Avery?”

They check their phones and their eyes glaze over. Clint’s eyes snap open, “No and our dragons can’t reach them.

Something is very wrong.”

I lookup at the sky to say a prayer to any god who is listening, when three ravens fly overhead. Each raven drops a gold

coin which the guys and I caught. Conner asks, “What does this mean?”

I hold up my coin and show him both sides, “Death. The Ravens bring death.”

**Cassius**

I should have killed Jessica and her friends when they nearly killed Avery. But foolishly I thought that justice would be

served once I found and marked my mate. Instead, the Hags still draw breath. We know that they are likely the rats and

thought that they could change fate. Our fates are sealed. Avery is my mate and nothing can change that. She is The

Mother, at least that is a hunch because I keep thinking

Avery is touched by the Goddess.

her a kiss before I take her hand and we walk into the abandoned building. Everything feels wrong, so

bitches are here. Tim is too but it

his cousin’s name again?” Just as she was about to answer, I opened a door

Tim. I know that he isn’t because I can

stop her. The moment she

its blade. Poison, that must

more step and I will slit her throat,”

Avery won’t make you Queen. But I know what can. In fact, I know how all three of

obviously have their attention because I see their guard drop so I inch closer. “I am the oldest so

one of you Talos’ Queen. And I know that Tim could make you one of you

they are. I see nothing but evil greed staring back

Avery and remove your mark. Heidi can be your Queen. Lenore can be Talos’ and I

Jessica says.

Naga, nearby renounce Avery as my mate and Naga’s Queen. After

don’t mean anything that I just

go, she cut her near her clavicle. At the sight of Avery’s

her behind me in the stairwell. However, as I did her

sidestepped her but I couldn’t evade Lenore. She rammed

my chest. I was wracked with immense

**Avery**

watched

next, but I didn’t care. I have to do something, so I press my

heat and merge. I feel Regina pull Asher towards her. I lean down

mate. With everything in me, I will him to live. I began to feel dizzy so

and darkness as I felt Jessica and Lenore drive their blades

her change of

**Draven**

we took off to where Cassius and Avery were supposed to meet Tim. When we

it is extremely haunted. This abandoned asylum was once a state of the

most deadly mental institutions in American history. As we walk in I can hear

to serve residents of the area. Forest Haven was initially a beacon of progress and quality in treating children who were mentally ill, handicapped,