Bella's expression fell into a scowl at his remark, but reverted back to a neutral one—too neutral for her naturally-expressive self—once his gaze fixed back on her.

With an audible huff, she declared: "If I was as half as skittish as I seem right now, I would not be here to begin with!" It was true in more ways than one, too; if she'd have learned to be more skittish—more low-key—she would have never found herself cast onto the streets to begin with. "I don't imagine dragons can be anymore vicious than humans, anyways; at least they can't control their ways," she added offhandedly.

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