I threw my arms up to protect myself and heard the beast scream in pain as it was thrown across the room by a blast of fire. The flame left as quickly as it had come. I looked around, but the only explanation was that it came from me. But that couldn’t be true. It wasn’t possible. I couldn’t create fire from nothing. I looked at the creature in the corner, who was licking its wounds.

“Leave.”

My head snapped around to a dark corner. I struggled to my feet and covered my crotch as I backed up to the wall. They could blend into the walls. “Who’s there?”

“Get out!” Black flames shot out of the darkness and hit the monster.

With a yelp, the dragon hurried into the daylight and took flight. I heard yelling, and the beast’s shrill call soon after. A hooded figure emerged from his hiding place with a frayed fuse in his hand. The explosive was tucked in his belt.

“Stupid boy. You haven’t learned much.”

I sunk to the ground. “Don’t tell. Please don’t tell them.” I covered my face with my hands. “They’ll kill me if you tell.”

I was yanked upright and turned so that I was facing the entrance.

The man slipped behind me and wrapped an arm around my chest. “You’ve grown up nicely.” He brushed my blond hair behind my ear. “I was worried you’d get too tall.”

“Get off me!” I attempted to turn and face him, but a warmth far greater than even the dragon’s breath pulsed from his hand. I knew this heat. For the last five years, I had chased after it. My head rolled back to his shoulder, and I closed my eyes.

“Don’t move,” he whispered.

“What are you?” I breathed. “What are you doing to me?”

“You don’t like it?” he laughed.

His hand grew cold, and I whimpered, my knees nearly giving out. He held me up as I clasped my mouth. I had never expected such an embarrassing sound to come from my own lips.

“Stupid little sparrow,” he said quietly with a sharp tone. “You nearly got yourself killed before I could collect you. You’re lucky I stepped in.” Removing the explosive from his belt, he tossed it outside. “Let’s hope my pet doesn’t find it.”

“Pet?” I breathed. His hand was sending waves of heat deep into my chest. “The dragon.”

“Oh, you are smarter than you appear,” he chuckled. “For a boy who nearly blew himself up. You’re lucky I was able to put out the fuse while you were enjoying yourself.” His grip tightened on me. “I’ll have to punish that dragon for breathing on you.” His breath warmed my neck before he lips grazed my skin.

“Stop.” I lurched forward but didn’t put up much of a fight. My body felt weak in his arms. It couldn’t fight the addiction it had toward this man.

“Close your eyes, Fin.”

“Why?” I tried to look back at him.

He grabbed my chin and forced my head forward. “Close your eyes, or I’ll leave you here to explain why you are naked without even a mark on your body.” His other hand brushed down my arm.

“Okay, okay,” I breathed, closing my eyes.

A piece of fabric was tied into place, and the man moved away from me. I felt like sobbing when the cold made it way back in. I hugged my arms to my chest and debated whether to just take off the blindfold and make a run for it.

“It really is a relief that you didn’t turn out ugly,” he stated plainly. “Don’t know what I would have done. You were such an uninteresting child.”

It sounded like he was pacing around me.

He moved closer, and I felt the warmth. “Glad you didn’t develop too large of a frame.” He grabbed my biceps. “Good thing I didn’t let them work you in the mines. Spending all day swinging a pickaxe would have unwanted effects. You didn’t overindulge yourself, either.” His hand pressed into my stomach. “Very nice.”

“What do you mean?” I didn’t fight as he pulled me to his chest. The warmth was even greater.

“A bird should be light,” he whispered. “And feminine in nature.”

I shoved him back and went for the blindfold. He snatched my wrists and released the energy into my body. My knees crumbled, but the man yanked me back into his embrace.

He chuckled in my ear. “Stupid little sparrow, getting so worked up over a single word. All I meant to say...”—the man ran his hands down my back to my hips and pulled them to his—“was I like that your muscles are long and retain an agile look.”

My breath caught as the heat increased. It felt too good. I was losing the battle with my body. I needed to escape this man, but I couldn’t resist leaning in closer to him.

“Release me,” I breathed. “Please, stop.”

“But you like it so much.”

I shook my head. “Please stop.”

“Show a little more fight to escape me and then I’ll believe you.”

A gasp came from me when a fire erupted in my chest. My mind went hazy, and I lost all resistance.

“A few more days”—he kissed my cheek—“my little sparrow, and then I’ll take you home with me.”

“No,” I said, my words barely audible. “I can’t do this…” I shook my head. “Stop.”

“You’ll give in to the desires.” His hand brushed through my hair. “I’ve waited so long to find a shapeshifter of your sort. Such a rare little creature.” His lips brushed against mine. “Try not to get yourself killed before you become an adult. Understood?”

I don’t know why, but I nodded.

“Good boy.”

The coldness came back, and I sank to the ground. Taking off the blindfold, I looked around, but the cave was empty except for a pile of clothes folded in front of me. I ran my hands up and down my arms, trying to bring back some of the warmth. Nothing worked. I laid over my knees and felt the sharp, aching pain return. My body had felt the heat again and would forever be searching for the hooded figure. The man who started my addiction as a child.

Zoran.