Chapter 5: Hidden Dangers

Layla

I let my fingers stroke my dagger to calm my nerves, but the feeling of a looming threat persists. Alden comes over to me. “Relax,” he murmurs, his voice low, just for me. His hand brushes mine, a fleeting touch that sends a jolt through my veins. “You’re safe here. With me.”

I nod, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “I know.” He is my protector, but when I have had this feeling before, a dragon was near. Yes, we may be unnoticed as before, but we might not. I can't risk anything happening to Alden because of me. I have come to care about him as much as I can, despite him not being a dragon. If he were a dragon, I would ask him to be my Chosen.

My Chosen, yet something that I will never have. I should give up on the notion entirely. When the black diamond fused with my heart and soul, I forfeited any chance at normalcy. I would never have a Chosen mate, I would never have offspring or a Fated, and I will never not be on the run. I feel safe with Alden. If he says that I can relax, I will try to. It seems like decades have passed since I can let my hair down and enjoy the moment.

Later, as the band takes a break and the crowd thins, Alden suggests we step outside for some fresh air. I did enjoy the music, but a pause in the action would be nice. I love it here in the human world, as the climate is similar to the dragon world. Although the heat in Dracos was a lot less humid than it is here. Sometimes I feel as if I am wrapped in cling wrap instead of clothing.

We wander down a quieter street, the only sound the distant rumble of a streetcar and the occasional chirp of crickets. The night is warm, the humidity clinging to my skin like a second layer, making every breath feel heavy, intoxicating. The smells of food and sin mingle into a heady aroma. There is something freeing about it.

“You’re still holding back,” Alden says abruptly, his tone gentle but firm. His eyes search mine, and I feel stripped bare under his gaze. “Even tonight. Even with me.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. The weight of his words presses down on me, a burden I can’t shake. “It’s hard not to, Alden. Every time I let my guard down, something happens. Someone tries to kill me, or I almost expose myself, or…”

“Or you remember that you’re not just Layla,” he finishes, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “You’re the bearer of the black diamond. The target. The hunted.”

I stop walking, turning to face him. The streetlight casts his features in shadow, but I can see the concern in his eyes, the lines of worry etched into his face. “It’s exhausting,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Pretending to be normal. Pretending to be human. Not being a dragon, and not having the only life I knew.”

He steps closer, his hand brushing mine again, this time with purpose. His touch is warm, grounding. “You are human, Layla. And you’re a dragon. And you’re so much more than either. But you don’t have to carry it all alone.”

I look away, my throat tight with unshed tears. “I know. But it’s not that simple. If I let go, even for a moment, someone could get hurt. Someone I care about.”

“Like me?” he asks, his tone light but his eyes searching. His thumb strokes the back of my hand, a small, intimate gesture that sends shivers down my spine.

I meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. “Yes. Like you.” It feels good yet vulnerable to let him know the depth of my feelings for him. But it is finally out there in the open.

For a long moment, we just stand there, the weight of our unspoken words hanging between us like a storm cloud. Then, Alden smiles; a soft, sad smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You are stronger than you think, Layla. Braver than you know. And you’re not alone. Never forget that.” Before I can respond, he pulls me into a hug, his embrace warm and familiar. I close my eyes, letting myself sink into the comfort of it, the scent of sandalwood and smoke that clings to his clothes. For a fleeting moment, I allow myself to forget the diamond, the dragons, the fear. For a fleeting moment, I’m just Layla. It felt so good. Alden can see me differently, and I wish I could see myself through his eyes, but I am afraid. I am afraid of who I would see.

Since the diamond merged with me, I have felt this darkness wrap around me like a blanket…a protective shield against the world. I don’t know if it is the diamond doing it to help protect itself or if it is my parents trying to comfort me in any way that they can. However, as we pull apart, the world rushes back in. My bubble of safety shatters as I hear he distant sound of footsteps. Soon, I see the faint glow of a cigarette, the way Alden’s eyes narrow, his body tensing like a coiled spring. “What is it?” I ask, my hand instinctively going to my dagger. My heart pounds, a drumbeat of warning.

“I’m not sure,” he says, his voice low, dangerous. “But something’s off.” His uncertainty causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at full attention. Goosebumps coat my clammy skin as adrenaline begins to course through my veins.

We stand there, frozen, as the night seems to hold its breath. And then, from the shadows, a figure emerges—tall, lean, with eyes that glow like embers in the dark. Our night of escape has turned into a nightmare. My blood runs cold, every instinct screaming at me to run, to fight, to survive.