Chapter 54

FIFTY-FOUR

T he scent of Asher’s blood shattered every wall of civilization Talon had built over centuries. Talon’s transformation completed in an explosion of primal fury. His dragon form filled the space, scales black as midnight and twice as deadly.

Every carefully maintained barrier between civilization and beast shattered like glass. Asher’s pain and fading consciousness fueled his rage.

He slammed into Dimitri with the force of a freight train, sending them both crashing through reinforced walls. His claws found purchase in his brother’s scales, ripping away chunks of armor. Blood sprayed in an arc as Talon’s teeth snapped inches from Dimitri’s throat.

“Finally!” Dimitri laughed even as blood ran down his chest. “The true dragon emerges!” He slipped away, his own transformation complete. His scales held a sickly green tinge, corrupted by dark magic and twisted experiments.

They clashed again in a brutal tangle of teeth and claws. The facility’s infrastructure crumbled around them as they battled. Support beams snapped like twigs. Concrete turned to powder. Every strike carried lethal intent.

Dimitri fought with the desperate strength of madness, cold iron weapons appearing in his claws. Each cut burned like acid, but Talon barely felt it. His dragon had one purpose - to destroy the creature who dared harm his mate. Everything else was irrelevant.

Asher’s life force continued to fade. The cold iron poison spread through her system, turning her brilliant flame darker with each passing second. His roar of fury shook the foundations of the building.

“Such passion,” Dimitri taunted, landing a blow that should have shattered bone. “Over a temporary distraction. When she dies, you’ll thank me for freeing you from this weakness.”

Wrong words.

Talon’s next attack carried centuries of power behind it. His claws found the weak point in Dimitri’s defense, tearing through scales and muscle. Blood fountained as he ripped into his brother’s shoulder, nearly severing the arm.

Dimitri staggered back, eyes widening as he realized his mistake. This wasn’t the controlled, civilized brother he’d known. This was ancient dragon fury given form, every instinct focused on a single goal - protecting what was his.

“Brother, wait-” Dimitri tried to shift back, to reason, to manipulate as he always had.

Talon’s claws closed around his throat. “You never understood,” he growled, voice deeper than thunder. “Power isn’t found in dominance.” He slammed Dimitri into the nuclear containment unit. “It’s found in what we protect.” Another strike shattered scales and bone. “In who we love.”

The device’s power core pulsed erratically, energy building to critical levels. Dimitri’s eyes darted between his brother and the failing containment. “You’ll kill us both!”

“No.” Talon’s dragon smiled, all teeth and ancient violence. “Just you.”

His claws plunged deep into Dimitri’s chest, finding his corrupted heart. With one savage twist, he tore it free. The unit exploded outward at the same moment, its unstable energy consuming Dimitri’s body in a flash of sickly green light.

Asher’s presence flickered dangerously. Dramatic as always, her thoughts whispered. Could have... just used a sword...

Stay with me, he sent back, already running. His dragon form melted away as he moved, focused solely on reaching her. Don’t you dare leave before critiquing my combat techniques properly.

The facility shuddered in its death throes as Talon raced through crumbling corridors. Ahead, Levi’s scent mixed with blood and ozone – he’d found Lori in the detention level. Asher’s presence grew weaker, each pulse of her consciousness more distant than the last.

He found them in what remained of the main security hub. Levi had cleared the room with brutal efficiency – broken bodies and shattered equipment testified to his rage. He cradled Lori’s unconscious form while trying to stem the bleeding from Asher’s shoulder.

“She’s fighting,” Levi said roughly, his usual charm stripped away by fear and fury. “But the cold iron...”

Talon gathered Asher into his arms, his dragon keening at the iceberg she’d become. The black veins had spread across her chest, black magic trying to consume what remained of her hybrid nature. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing on him with effort.

“Did you have to destroy the entire building?” she whispered. “Some of us appreciate structural integrity.”

“Blame your dramatic shutdown sequence.”

“Actually, that was Lori’s virus.” Her smile was weak but real. “I just... improvised the timing.”

From Levi’s arms, Lori stirred. “Did someone say virus?” Her voice was hoarse but carried a hint of her usual sass. “Because I definitely didn’t program any unauthorized system disruptions. That would be illegal.”

“Oh good, you’re both conscious enough for plausible deniability.” Asher’s attempt at humor ended in a pained gasp as more blackness spread. “Though I might need a rain check on the full debrief.”

The building groaned ominously. Levi shifted Lori more securely against his chest, his eyes wild with protective fury and relief. “We need to move. Now.”

“Always so demanding.” Lori’s fingers curled into his shirt. “A girl likes to be asked nicely.”

“Please let me save you from the collapsing evil lair?”

“Better.”

Talon barely registered their banter, focused entirely on Asher. Her heartbeat grew more erratic with each passing second. The cold iron poison had nearly reached her heart.

“Stay with me,” he growled, running toward the exit as walls crumbled around them. “Don’t you dare give up.”

“Not giving up.” Her voice was barely audible now. “Just... need a minute. To recalibrate...”