Chapter 3

Octane

No killing or hurting the Red.

That's fine. It suits me down the line. I never planned on doing either of those things, anyway. I might hate the Reds with a passion that rages inside of me, but I would never harm a woman, especially one who was with child. I can't believe that Shadow would think so little of me. It doesn't matter; her attitude toward the whole situation has helped me put some fear into the little Red, who is looking at me with trepidation.

I might be a lot of things, but I'm not a monster. I will do what it takes to get the information I need, though.

"I'm trusting you," Shadow tells me; her eyes are hard, telling me that she means it.

"You're making a mistake. This male is not to be trusted," the Red tells Shadow. I can scent her anguish. Good! It will serve me well.

"You have my word," I tell Shadow, not taking my eyes off the Red.

"I want regular feedback," she tosses over her shoulder, and the door shuts with a loud click that reverberates around my bungalow.

"And then there were two. It looks like it's just you and me, Red."

"What are you going to do with me?" the female asks.

I size her up, moving closer, each step deliberate and measured. She flinches as I tower over her, my muscular frame dwarfing her smaller one.

"I'm going to ask you some questions," I say, my voice low and menacing. "And you're going to answer them truthfully. Understand?"

"What then? You'll let me go? You won't hurt me?" She snorts and shakes her head. I can hear her heart pounding in her chest. "That isn't going to happen, and you and I both know it."

I circle around her like a predator stalking its prey. "Tell me about the Reds' plans. What are they plotting against us?"

"I don't know," she says, her eyes filled with defiance. "I'm not privy to such information."

I slam my fist against the wall, making her jump. "Don't lie to me! You must know something. You're in Draig territory, after all. What are you doing here? Why did you come?"

She shakes her head. "My reasons are not along the lines of what you are thinking. My reasons have nothing to do with your kind."

I laugh, the sound lacking all humor. "Let me guess, you were just taking a leisurely stroll. Doing a bit of sightseeing on our lovely island."

"Something like that."

"Tell me what the Reds are plotting," I snarl.

"I really don't know anything. I swear it on my unborn baby's life." She puts a hand to her belly.

I study her intently, searching for any signs of deceit. I don't see any, but that doesn't mean anything.

I need to change tactics, to find a way to make her talk. I can't physically harm her, but there are other methods of persuasion. Ones that don't involve violence.

"Listen carefully," I say, leaning in close. So close I can smell her scent. She smells wild and untamed, like the wind through a forest on a stormy night. Also, of sweet honey and woodsmoke. I find that I like it, so I pull away. I don't want to like anything about a Red. Particularly a female of the species.

I squeeze the back of my neck, tension rolling through me, making my muscles tighten. "You may not know their exact plans, but you must have overheard something. Whispers, rumors…anything. Think hard and tell me what you remember. It could mean the difference between life and death for both our people."

"Nonsense. You plan on using anything I give you against us. We're not all bad, you know." She narrows her pretty eyes on me.

Pretty?

Where the fuck did that come from?

"How did you get onto our island undetected?" I growl. "It's happening a lot lately. You must be doing something. What is it?"

She lifts her chin, keeping her eyes on mine, but not saying so much as a single word.

I take a step back, reining in my anger. "Look, I don't want to harm you or the baby. But you need to understand the severity of the situation here. The Reds have been encroaching on our territory more and more of late. Clashes between our people are becoming inevitable, and if things keep escalating, there will be a full-blown war. Do you want an all-out war? Because that's where we are headed."

"No!" she yells. "That's the last thing I want. It's what I'm trying to prevent." She closes her mouth, like she said too much.

"If you truly mean that, you need to tell me about their movements, their plans, their allies." Not their, your. She is a Red, too. She's trespassing. "I need to know what we're up against."

Trinity worries her bottom lip between her teeth, clearly torn. "So that you can slaughter us like dogs? I don't think so."

Her words hang heavy in the air between us. "As long as you Reds stay on your island, you wouldn't have to worry. How are you getting onto Draig undetected?" Aside from the Reds potentially working with the humans, it is the burning question. If we know how they're getting past our defenses, we can stop them.

She shakes her head. "I'm not going to tell you. Not now and not ever. You may as well start whatever you have planned for me. I know you're going to hurt me despite what you told that female shifter." Her eyes fill with fear for a few moments, but she quickly brushes the emotion aside, squaring her shoulders. She's brave, and I like it, even if it's grudging. "I know you were lying to Shadow," she adds, swallowing thickly. "Do your worst."

I sigh. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not in the business of harming females. However, you and I are going to get to know each other very well since we'll be eating and sleeping together for the foreseeable future. We're going to do everything together, Trinity. I'm not going to let you out of my sight for even a second. You will grow sick of me and my questions. You'll wish you had never come to our island. I need answers. I'm willing to wait to get them."

Meanwhile, our new riders can find their seats on their dragons. They can train hard to become proficient. If I can't break Trinity, then we have to find another Red. One I can torture and maim if I have to. One I can force to talk. We need this information. It could mean the difference between life and death for my people.

"You're going to have to wait a very long time. You're also going to have to sleep with one eye open. I will escape the first chance I get." Her eyes blaze.

I can tell that she means every word.

"I will be ready for you. Know that you won't get away. Resistance is futile. You may as well spill the beans already," I growl. I'm sure that my eyes project more of the same earnestness. I bristle with it.

"No!" she snaps. "Never going to happen." She shakes her head so hard that her hair goes flying about her face. It's a thick, glossy black. The strands look soft, making me want to run my hands through them. To feel them between my fingers. I catch myself before I actually do it.

What the fuck?

It's been a long time since I had a female in my bed. It must be messing with my head.

"I'm never talking!" she adds with even more conviction.

"Okay, then. Suit yourself. But you won't like it, Trinity. And know that when the child is born, and you are still here..." I look down at her slight belly. "I'm going to take the baby for myself."

Her mouth drops open, and she makes a strangled sound. "You can't be serious."

"I'm deadly serious. I've always wanted a child of my own. I will send you back to Mistveil and keep the baby. I will raise him or her as my own. They will never know you. That will be your punishment for your silence."

Her eyes slowly fill with horror as I talk. "You're lying. You wouldn't do something so cruel." She must see something in my eyes because she gives a cry of outrage. "No! You can't have my baby."

I choke out a laugh that doesn't hold much humor. "I'm not lying. I swear it. I can't harm you in any way, but this…keeping your baby… This I can do. I will do it unless you tell me everything I need to know." I look down at her belly. Now that I know she is pregnant, I wonder how I missed it. "How far along are you? Four or five months? Perhaps even close to six?"

"None of your business."

"What will your mate say when you return without a babe in your arms? What then?"

"That won't happen. He will come for me before then. He'll kill you for this," she spits out.

"I hope he comes. I welcome it," I tell her. "All bets will be off with a big, strong Red male. I'll be permitted to do whatever it takes to get the information I need. I will force him to talk, and perhaps I'll make you watch as I slice him open."

She gives another low growl of outrage. "I can't believe you would be so barbaric. And you Draigers insist that it's the Reds who are out of control and aggressive. I beg to differ."

"Oh, I'm in full control, sweetheart." I grin at her.

"You're an animal!"

I throw her one of my clean shirts, and she catches it.

"Now you're catching on," I sneer. "Yes, I can be barbaric if need be. Believe you me. I can also be very amicable. Now get dressed, and then tell me what I need to know, and I'll let you go. You have my word." I glare at her.

She shakes her head; her eyes are filled with defiance, but it won't last. I will break her even if it can't be physically. The lives of my people depend on it. If anyone knows what is at stake here, it's me.