Chapter 28

TWENTY-EIGHT

“ S tay alert,” Talon warned softly, though he couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Revon’s forces could be near.”

Levi’s voice crackled through their earpieces. “Multiple hostiles approaching from east and south. They’re trying to triangulate your location.”

Her eyes lit up with that familiar spark of inspiration. “The tracking devices they’re using must emit some kind of power signature. If I can isolate the frequency...” She turned to him with an excited grin. “Want to watch me short-circuit their tech?”

“Have I mentioned how attractive you are when you’re plotting?” He pulled her behind a stone outcropping, using the moment of cover to steal a quick kiss.

“Timing,” she mumbled against his lips, though she was smiling. “I’ll fry their systems, you create chaos with the fire.”

“Perfect.” He reluctantly released her, moving into position. “Stay within sight.”

“Yes, dear,” she teased, then shifted. The air crackled with controlled bursts of electromagnetic interference. The effect was immediate - confused shouts erupted from Revon’s approaching forces as their equipment failed.

Talon seized the advantage, unleashing precisely targeted flames that created barriers and forced the attackers into chaos. He and Asher moved in natural synchronization, their powers complementing each other as if they’d trained together for centuries. Her lightning herded enemies into his fire while his flames drove them into range of her electrical strikes.

“ Boast much ?” she called as he executed a particularly impressive fire maneuver.

“ You like it ,” he shot back, his dragon strutting at her admiring glance.

They worked their way closer to each other, instinctively seeking proximity as they fought. When a mercenary got too close to her, Talon’s snarl of rage echoed across the sky. The small dragon rolled back in terror, right into Asher’s electrical field.

“ I had that handled ,” she said.

“ I know .” He brushed her wing in passing. “ But he was breathing too close to what’s mine.”

A commanding voice cut through their moment. “How disgustingly domestic.” Revon Keres emerged from the smoke, his cold eyes fixed on them. “Talon Draker, consorting with a half-breed. How the mighty have fallen.”

The couple landed and shifted into their human forms.

Talon’s growl vibrated the air between them. Asher laid a calming hand on his arm, electricity sparking between them. “Funny,” she said to Revon, “I was just thinking how sad it must be to be so threatened by happiness.”

“Your time as leader is ending,” Revon spat at Talon. “Dimitri will reclaim what’s his.”

“He’s merely using you,” Talon replied, his voice deadly calm. Only Asher could feel the tension thrumming through him where their shoulders touched. “Stand down before more blood is shed.”

Revon’s smirk was cruel. “Surrender the sanctuary, and perhaps we’ll spare what’s left of your legacy.” His gaze slid meaningfully to Asher. “Though your choice in mates has already tainted it.”

The temperature around them plummeted as Talon’s control slipped. “That was your last warning.” His voice had dropped to a dangerous rumble.

“Darling,” Asher murmured, just for him. “He’s trying to bait you.” Then louder, to Revon: “For someone so concerned with legacy, you’re awfully eager to destroy sacred ground.”

Beside them, Levi and his crew landed and shifted.

“Ready on your mark,” Levi said.

“Time to show them real dragon power,” Talon growled, his eyes blazing molten gold before they stepped apart to shift.

The transformation rippled through them in a symphony of cracking bones and stretching muscle. Talon’s massive black form dominated the clearing, easily twice the size of a regular dragon. His scales caught the light like polished obsidian, the red undertones pulsing with ancient royal blood. Curved horns swept back from his head, and when he unfurled his wings, they blocked out the sun. Raw power emanated from him in waves that made the very air tremble.