Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

A power surge rocked the building, forcing them to really focus. Asher’s fingers flew across keyboards while Talon coordinated security responses through his comm. Yet neither moved apart, their energies pulsing stronger together.

“The electrical grid’s compromised,” she noted, bringing up new schematics. “But if we reconfigure the wards to channel my power through existing—” She broke off as Talon’s hands slid up her sides, ostensibly reaching for a different screen. “Really?”

“Problem?” His voice rumbled against her ear as he studied the display, though his touch was anything but professional.

“Several.” She leaned back into him deliberately. “Starting with how you keep distracting me when I’m trying to save your building.”

“Our building,” he corrected, the possessive note in his voice making her dragon purr. “And you’re doing plenty of distracting yourself.”

As if to prove his point, lightning danced between them, connecting with his fire in a display that shorted out three monitors.

“That wasn’t my fault.” But she couldn’t help smiling as he pulled her closer. “You’re the one who?—”

Multiple breach attempts registered along the perimeter, each targeting a different power frequency.

“Let’s go,” she said and they headed out of the lab.

The attack hit from multiple angles – coordinated strikes designed to separate them. But Talon and Asher moved closer instead, their powers weaving together instinctively.

“North sector breached,” Levi reported through comms. “They’re using some kind of power dampening?—”

Bursting through the back door, lightning exploded from Asher’s hands, overloading the dampening field before it could fully form. Talon’s fire followed instantly, their combined assault driving back the initial wave.

“Show off,” he murmured against her ear as they advanced.

“Says the man who keeps making his eyes glow on purpose.” She spun under his arm, electricity arcing in a deadly pattern. “Like you don’t know what that does to me.”

His growl vibrated through her as he pulled her against him, using the movement to shield her from incoming fire. “Like you don’t know what you do to me ?”

Power surged between them, their dragons responding to the admission. Each touch sparked new energy, their bond humming stronger with every synchronized attack.

“Your control’s slipping,” she noted as scales rippled across his skin.

“So is yours.” He nodded to where her lightning had carved intricate patterns into the ground. “Though I’m not complaining.”

They pushed forward through Dimitri’s forces, moving as one unit. Every strike flowed naturally into the next, their powers combining in increasingly devastating displays.

“This is new,” she gasped as their energies merged completely, creating a storm of fire and lightning that cleared the entire section.

“You’re new.” His voice had dropped to that dangerous register that made her knees weak. “Everything about this is new.”

She sensed exactly what he meant – how eight centuries of iron control meant nothing against their connection. How perfectly they fit together, in battle and everything else.

A blast caught her attention, forcing them to refocus on the fight. But Talon’s hands never left her, each touch sending fresh sparks through her system.

“We should probably talk about this,” she managed between strikes.

“About how you keep looking at me like that?” His lips brushed her neck as they turned to face new attackers. “Or about how much I want to kiss you right now?”

“Both?” Lightning danced between them, connecting with his fire in increasingly intimate patterns. “Though maybe after we deal with your brother’s impressive commitment to interrupting us.”

His laugh rumbled through her chest as they moved together, powers building toward something unprecedented. This – them – was worth any risk.

She found she completely agreed.

“They’re herding us toward the warehouse,” Asher realized as another explosion rocked the ground.

“Good.” Talon’s voice had deepened to a growl, scales now covering most of his skin. “Time to show you what real dragon combat feels like.”

Her own dragon surged forward at his words, power crackling across her body in new patterns. “You sure about this? I’ve only shifted once.”

His hands tightened on her waist. “Trust your instincts.” His breath ghosted her ear. “Trust me.”

They stopped together as the sun set over Manhattan. Dimitri’s forces had them surrounded, weapons humming with anti-shifter tech.

“Now?” She let electricity arc between them, feeling their dragons strain toward each other.

“Now.”

The transformation flowed easier this time, power surging through her as wings unfurled. Beside her, Talon’s massive form blocked out the remaining sunlight, his black scales reflecting hints of gold.

Her silver-white dragon form crackled with electricity, wings spanning nearly as wide as his.

Show off, she projected, testing their mental connection.

His rumbling laugh echoed in her mind as they launched into the air together. Says the one glowing like lightning incarnate.