Chapter 34

THIRTY-FOUR

A sher’s fingers flew over the controls, electricity crackling between them. The sanctuary’s ancient crystals hummed in response. “Talon, watch the eastern ridge. The energy pattern suggests they’re herding something big our way.”

He sensed her determination warring with lingering pain. “Stay within the ward boundary,” he ordered, already moving toward the door. “Harlynn-”

“Yeah, yeah, guard your mate with my life or you’ll kill me yourself.” His sister took up position near Asher. “Go be heroic.”

The night air burned with power as Talon shifted, his massive form casting shadows across the moonlit clearing. Levi and four elite guards flanked him, their scales gleaming like polished metal.

Asher’s voice came through their mental link, stronger than before. “ They’re trying to mask their approach with cold iron resonance. But I can track the energy displacement ...” A pause. “ Three o’clock !”

Talon’s flames lit up the night, forcing hidden attackers into the open. Smaller dragons scattered from their concealment, their dull scales marking them as more of Dimitri’s mercenaries.

“ Is this getting repetitive to anyone else ?” Levi launched himself at the nearest attacker. “ I mean, same strategy, different day .”

“ Less quipping, more fighting ,” Asher chimed in. Her presence in their mental link suddenly sharpened. “ Wait - something’s wrong. The energy readings are -”

An explosion rocked the eastern cliff face. Through smoke and debris, a massive dark shape emerged - easily twice the size of normal dragons.

“Well, shit,” Asher’s scientific detachment slipped. “They’ve been experimenting with enhancement technology. That’s... that’s not good.”

The mutated dragon’s roar shook the mountains. Its scales looked wrong - warped and twisted, with cold iron shards actually embedded in the flesh.

“ Dimitri’s been busy ,” Levi snarled, dispatching another mercenary with brutal efficiency.

“ Talon .” Asher’s voice carried urgent warning. “ Its cellular structure is highly unstable. If you hit it hard enough in the right spot.. .”

He banked hard, avoiding a blast of corrupted flame. “ Where ?”

“ Base of the skull, where the scales pattern changes. But be careful - the cold iron fragments could -”

“ Could what ?” Levi demanded when she cut off suddenly.

A blast of pure electricity lit up the sanctuary’s dome. “ Sorry, had to fry some uninvited guests. Harlynn says to tell you she’s fine, just singed .”

“ That’s my mate .” Pride filled his mental voice as he dove toward the mutated dragon.

The battle that followed was brutal but precise. Talon’s elite guards systematically eliminated the remaining mercenaries while he engaged the enhanced monster. Its movements were powerful but clumsy - proof that Dimitri’s experiments still needed work.

“ Almost ...” Asher’s focus filled his mind. “ The wards are nearly recharged. When I give the signal...”

The mutated dragon reared back for another attack. Talon saw his opening.

“ Now !”

Ancient power surged through the sanctuary as Asher activated the enhanced wards. Talon’s flames, amplified by the sacred energy, struck true at the base of the monster’s skull. The reaction was catastrophic - unstable enhancement magic combusting in a spectacular display.

“Data collected,” Asher announced with satisfaction as the creature’s remains crashed to the forest floor. “Also, incoming medical team for our guys. And, Talon? Hurry back. Using this much power may have been a tiny bit ambitious for someone fresh out of bed.”

Talon found Asher half-slumped over the control panel, Harlynn supporting her with a worried frown. Despite her exhaustion, Asher’s eyes lit up when he entered.

“Did you see that ward amplification?” She tried to straighten and winced. “The energy conversion rate was incredible. Though maybe next time I should wait until I’m fully healed before attempting experimental magical engineering.”

“You think?” He gathered her carefully into his arms, inhaling their mingled scents. He sensed her fatigue warring with scientific excitement. “What happened to bed rest?”

“Overrated. Besides, look at this data!” She waved a tablet weakly. “Dimitri’s enhancement experiment left distinct energy signatures. We can track-” Her words cut off in a yawn.

“Tomorrow.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Right now, you need rest.”

“Fine.” She curled into his chest. “But only because you’re warm and I’m too tired to argue.”

“That’s a first,” Harlynn muttered, earning a half-hearted glare from Asher.