The answering grumble settled through the forest slowly enough that Dean felt it beneath his boots before he fully understood it inside his head.
You again.
"Unfortunately."
Beside Arion, Theo shifted closer, his hand still wrapped around his father's fingers, while Matthias stayed several steps behind, quiet enough that Dean suspected he was trying hard not to get involved in a conversation with something he had spent most of his life avoiding.
Theo looked toward the silent trees.
"Dragon?"
The presence stirred. For one hopeful second, Theo straightened.
No.
His face fell immediately.
Dean glanced toward Arion before looking back into the forest.
Theo frowned. "Why?"
The answer came with the same slow certainty as before.
Too small.
Theo stared ahead.
"I'm not that small."
Dean closed his eyes.
Arion's mouth twitched.
The pressure beneath the forest shifted again, and Dean received the distinct impression that Caeus had already decided the matter was settled.
