11. Bree

11

Bree

The chain clanked as I paced.

I barely registered my surroundings. Instead, I was mentally linked to Riggs as he led the group of Dragon shifters through the gate and to the cliff, where they looked out upon their new home.

Other than Tyrez and Razir, the only one who'd been part of the Legion on the day it was destroyed, was Ganit. But the others had obviously heard the stories, and looked around them with glittering eyes and lowered brows, until they saw what Nikolai was up to.

Even seen secondhand through Riggs's eyes, the Perditor's ability constricted my breathing. So much power at his disposal… it made you question much about both the past, and the future, that someone such as he could exist.

"Our new home," Riggs, or rather, Razir, told them. "Here, we will train our army. And pray that it will not be required."

I'd made three more circuits between the bed and the bathroom before it occurred to me that the monster within me was pacing, too.

It was enough to make me stop. It was spinning slow circles, held in check—barely—by Caliel. As I paused, I experienced a flush of heat, and the dull echo of an internal Drakonian screech rang through my brain.

It is the serum, Caliel admitted. I have been trying to block it, but it is enhanced by bloodmagic—I am only able to diminish its effects. And the Ice Drake is growing more restless as it takes root.

My pulse bounded. That was not good news. I'd hoped for more time.

Time is not something we have. And there is no way you will be able to control this on your own. You need me, and what Riggs proposes is just too risky.

It's the only way we'll get what we need, I argued. We have no choice.

Riggs had picked up on my angst. Are you okay?

I'm fine, I lied . Could use an energy boost, though.

I'm heading back as soon as I get these wings to go away.

Through his eyes, I saw Cara. The Watcher touched his arm and helped him get his wings retracted.

It's promising that they've appeared, I said.

Getting them to disappear is more of an issue. I'm not much of a shifter. A pause, as his mother hugged him. Then, we're on our way.

As I resumed pacing, a shudder of pure lust washed through me.

Sorry. Caliel scurried to lock it down.

How long? How long did I have before the Ice Drake took over? If Victor was expecting her to break free so he could mate her, they would have to move me somewhere else. To the cage?

As far as I knew, Todd was still in there. A short while ago, I'd heard his screams—his awakening to human had not gone well. We had all been implanted with Gryphons to help guide and control the other creatures within us, but I doubted Todd had cultivated a good relationship with his.

Letting the Ice Drake loose also meant, at some point, the collar would have to come off. The thought stopped my feet once again. Maybe therein lay a solution.

Not if they put you in that cage, Caliel stated.

We'll see, I replied.

The door to my cell opened. And in the doorway—Tez. My heart did an odd double flip as my angst dropped a few degrees. I couldn't explain it—because he couldn't help me.

He was carrying a pack slung over one shoulder. And, of course, he no longer had the sword. When I faced him, I was conflicted. Riggs's anger pulsed through me. But no matter what else Tez had done, he'd returned the sword .

That had to count for something. Didn't it? My heart was far too eager to say yes. Why? This man had given me to Victor. I barely knew him. Why did I feel betrayed?

I was a betrayer as well. At the time, I'd thought my reasons to be justifiable. I had no right to judge him.

By the anger surging along our link, Riggs clearly didn't agree. But as I met Tez's eyes, I had the oddest sensation. With Caliel inside me, and Riggs a constant presence in my mind, having Tez there too—felt right?

The thought was there, and gone, in an instant. Because from beyond the open door, came a hoarse scream. And shouts.

Tez winced and stepped into my cell, closing the door behind him.

"Was that Todd?" I asked.

He nodded. "The Drake did not appreciate being transplanted. It keeps breaking free." His mouth straightened. "I'm not sure your friend will exist for much longer."

"I already told you, he's not my friend anymore." But my heart twisted. Because Todd had been, at one time.

They'd all been my friends.

He'd watched the play of emotions across my face. "Sometimes Fate gives us what we deserve," he stated.

The words were like a sword piercing right through me. Perhaps I did deserve to be where I was right now?

You have to stop punishing yourself, Caliel insisted. But his voice was weaker than it should be…

The tiny bird on Tez's shoulder took flight, and came straight to me. She hovered in front of my face, and when I held out my hand, she alighted on my finger.

She was so tiny, barely the length of what she perched upon. And such bright little eyes… "What kind of bird is she?"

"She's a hummingbird," he answered. "From the human realm."

The bird cocked her head and trilled at me. "Where did you get her?"

He hesitated for just a fraction of a moment, and then, he said, "She got hurt when she saved my life. My grandmother healed her, and now she seems permanently attached."

"She's beautiful," I said. "Was that your grandmother with you at Drosfi?"

He swayed from one foot to the other. I got the distinct impression that he now regretted answering me. "Yes."

"She's not with you now," I stated.

His gaze shot to me, and away again. "No." He turned away to open the door, and the hummingbird darted back to him. But he stopped with it only cracked. "Are you hungry?"

"No," I said. "I'm fine."

"They don't need me here, with the Bellati guarding your non-friend. But I'll stay, if you'd rather."

Oddly, I would rather he stayed. Why?

You are there, because of him, raged Riggs.

Yet there was something about Tez… for some reason, despite what he'd done, I trusted him. Why? Maybe it was just because I was desperate to have a connection in this place that wasn't steeped in evil.

But so long as he was here, no one else would check on me. And if my plan was going to reach fruition, I needed someone other than him.

It matters naught, because we will not be doing that, Caliel insisted.

"It's okay, Tez," I said. "Get some rest. I think we are all going to need it."

His hand tightened on the knob to swing the door wider.

"Tez." I stepped forward.

His head turned, and for just an instant, his eyes flashed turquoise.

"Thank you," I said.

I didn't elaborate as to why I was thanking him, but I saw the acknowledgment in his expression, before he nodded once, briskly.

And then, he stepped through the door, and closed it behind him.

Despite the restlessness swirling within me, I forced myself to lie down on the bed. It had gone all quiet outside my cell—as if everyone had left. Perhaps they had drugged Todd, because he'd gone quiet, too.

As I waited for Riggs, my fingers interlocked over my midriff and tapped. In my mind, Riggs stepped through the gateway and headed for the privacy of the arbor.

Once inside, he drew the sword. Its clean, bright energy surged along our link.

It was like a warm sauna after walking through a blizzard. I closed my eyes and let the power flow through me, and Caliel grabbed it to shore up the metaphorical wall between us and the monster.

Better? Riggs purred, his thoughts straying…

Do not even… Caliel snarled. Even amorous thoughts right now are going to take this Ice Drake where we definitely do not want her to go.

That was verified by the pure heat that swept through me at the concept of Riggs sitting in that arbor, all darkly clad and sexy.

Well, I'm not as clad as I could be, he admitted . I'm going through shirts at a rapid rate. Have to stop sprouting those danged wings. This one is now shot, too. Constance is going to have a fit.

I longed to touch him, even if it was just in my mind. But Caliel had a valid point. I'd sensed the power of what was building inside my monster. Despite the sword's energy, I wasn't at all sure that wall would hold, especially if we started poking at it.

Fortunately, I had another idea. Something that dovetailed nicely with the energy flooding through us.

Let's fly, I said.

What? How do you propose to do that? Caliel demanded.

Put me to sleep, I said. And we can fly in our dreams.

I immediately sensed his longing to do so. To spread his wings and soar.

Riggs sensed it too. Then do it, he said. If the monster tries to break loose, we'll stop her. Can you put me to sleep, too?

Yes, Caliel said with a sigh. Just make sure you are comfortable. I do not want to be blamed for a crick in your muscular neck.

Is my neck muscular? He sounded rather fascinated by the concept.

I am assuming so, as the rest of you is. Including between your ears.

Hey, Riggs protested .

I have been in there, I ought to know.

I laughed through the link. I loved them bantering back and forth through my mind.

He just called me a muscle head, Riggs objected.

He also said the rest of you was as well, I pointed out .

Riggs's snort carried through the link. That's about as backhanded a compliment as you can get.

Are we going to argue, or are we going flying? Caliel asked.

I settled flat on the mattress and pulled the blanket over me. I'm ready.

And he began to sing.

My muscles immediately relaxed as the wordless music wove around my soul. I felt Caliel reach for Riggs through the link.

And met resistance.

You have to relax, I told Riggs. You can trust him. He's been inside you, remember? If he wanted to hurt you, he's had plenty of opportunity.

I know that. It's just—I must be a resistant sort. He hesitated. I think.

I added my Centaur counterpoint to Caliel's music, establishing the hoofbeat rhythm, before reaching for Riggs. Immediately, I sensed his exhaustion. He needed this, likely more than either Caliel or me.

I felt the moment his heartbeat synced with my own as it slowed, and I was able to pull him with me…

And we were flying.

The clouds reflected the sinking sun's rays in purples, reds, and golds as the wind danced through our plumage. The smallest twitch of the wing muscles altered the tilt or spread of each feather, and was reflected in our movement through the air.

"Do you remember flying now?" I asked Riggs.

"This feels—different," Riggs said.

"Dragons do not have feathers," Caliel pointed out. "But you use muscles in your wing membranes to alter your flight much the same way."

"How the heck do you know that?" Riggs demanded.

"Gryphons are very well educated," Caliel replied rather stuffily.

I sighed as I let them continue the discussion, while I enjoyed the play of air over our feathers and fur. Dream flying with both of them in my head was rather noisier than with Caliel alone. But it also felt—right.

I was aware, though, of a niggling absence. Something—or someone—was missing.

Missing? Silence was definitely missing. Riggs and Caliel seemed determined to ruin a lovely sunset flight. Now they were arguing over the relative merits of feathers over Dragon wings.

"Do you remember having Dragon wings?" Caliel finally said with some exasperation.

Silence for a moment. Then, "I guess I do."

My heart twisted, just a bit. What if he remembered being a Dragon, but could never fully shift to one? Maybe this flight hadn't been the best idea…

"It's wonderful," Riggs said, but his voice was almost wistful. "The clouds. The air rushing past me. The way we twist and turn, rise and fall—it's bringing it all back. I loved it." Before I could comment, he said, "Let's go up."

Caliel obeyed, rising above the clouds. "If this were real, I would have to stop here," he stated. "Gryphons do not possess a Dragon's resilience to cold."

We didn't have to go higher—Caliel's memories of flying were enough to paint a breathtaking canvas of sunlit cloud and the sparkle of stars amid the indigo of approaching night. Riggs fell silent as we flew, and I sensed his fierce longing to climb higher, until his breath froze and frost kissed across his scales.

It was at that moment that I realized we weren't alone.

The monster was there, of course. Circling restlessly, but avoiding the power that the sword threw to us. But as Caliel flapped hard through the high cloud, I detected something else.

Someone else. Watching.

At first, it made me uneasy. But the presence didn't seem threatening. And having it there satisfied a craving deep within me.

As I struggled to understand, we were joined in the sky by—birds.

It shocked me, because I didn't think birds flew this high. But of course, this was a dream. Which might also explain why they weren't a uniform flock—but rather multitudes of different kinds, from tiny fluttering forms the size of Tez's hummingbird, to—and I had to do a double take to be sure—another Gryphon.

The next time I glanced back, there were more of them. They flew in formation, as if preparing to go to war. Near them flew giant raptors almost as large as them. And seen so close together, the Gryphons's resemblance through the head and shoulders was uncanny. Part eagle, part Sabre, part Dragon—the Gryphons were a combination of them all.

"Do you know them?" I asked Caliel.

When he didn't respond, I realized Riggs had also fallen silent. The link was—frozen, as if suspended in time.

A chill passed through me. I looked back again, and the Gryphon had been joined by Dragons. So many that I couldn't count them, and each one had their gaze focused on us.

My hands closed on the spikes. Spikes? I was no longer a part of Caliel's Gryphon—instead, I flew on the back of a Dragon. A Dragon with distinctive scales, so dark a purple they were almost black.

Razir. I was riding Razir.

I wasn't alone. Behind me was a huge human form. The muscular arm that wrapped around my waist was covered in light-colored fur, striped with a darker hue. And seated in front of me was a leanly muscled body, clinging to the spikes with long fingers.

Tez.

His other hand held the sword, a shining beacon that led the army—and I had no doubt that was what it was—onward into the night.

A scraping sound echoed through me…

I blinked and sat up.

The first thing I saw, was Jaimie.

He stood in my cell. The room beyond him had darkened, as though some of the lights were turned off. And it was silent. Had everyone left?

As I met Jaimie's gaze, his eyes flared silver. It was familiar, but it took me a moment to realize why.

They were now just like Marcus's.

Something in his expression had me pushing myself rapidly off the bed. But my monster responded to his Storm Drake, and she surged through the wall.

A frantic Riggs was there in an instant, flooding me with the power of the sword. Caliel grabbed it, and used it to push back the irate monster.

When Jaimie said nothing, I asked, "Is Todd okay?"

"They got tired of babysitting him. Aurora shot him full of drugs—he'll be a day sleeping it off." He took a step closer. "She's some pissed that your guardians aren't here, and she went to rustle one up. Gives us a chance to reacquaint ourselves."

My Ice Drake wanted to reacquaint herself with him. Very badly. As Riggs and Caliel battled her, I looked past Jaimie to see Slade stride through the door. He was moving fast, and the big shifter's arms writhed as he sprouted pale fur with dark stripes.

My relief at seeing him surprised me. Particularly when his vivid-blue gaze met mine, and all I read within them was a vicious kind of rage. No acknowledgment of me as a person at all. Merely an asset he'd been assigned to protect.

His eyes moved from me to Jaimie. "You're not fuckin' supposed to be here," he growled.

My ex-friend raised a brow at him. "And just what are you planning to do about it?"

Slade flexed four-inch claws as huge Sabre fangs dropped from his upper jaw. "I just sent the Phoenix to your damned boss. Don't think he'll be pleased."

Jaimie laughed. "He's gone to a meeting. You're on your own, you hairy bastard."

I swallowed. In my brain, Riggs began to swear.

The shifter snarled. "Whether he comes now, or in an hour—your ass is toast if he knows you've been here."

My stomach clenched. An hour was far too long. "He's right," I said. "Victor will burn you alive if you lay a single finger on me."

A wind swirled past, lifting my hair off my neck. We were underground, there were no windows. There was only one possible source.

Jaimie's eyes glowed pure silver, and the bones beneath his skin writhed before settling again. "I'm going to lay far more than just a finger on you," he growled. "I've been waiting a long time to sink between those thighs. And my Storm Drake can take on his Fire, any day."

Ice chased along my spine. This wasn't just about screwing me. This was about claiming Victor's empire, as well.

Our link was alive with Riggs's rage. Can you call on the Ice Drake? he asked.

You cannot be serious? Caliel said. We call on her, and she will want to mate him, not freeze him.

We were in big trouble here. Slade knew it, too. I thought I glimpsed something akin to desperation in his eyes as his head broadened and new muscle bulged across his shoulders. The clothes he'd worn shredded as his body completed its shift, and silvery-blond fur, striped in black, chased across his skin.

Suddenly the cell seemed tiny, because he was magnificent, bigger than a Centaur, with formidable claws and six-inch fangs. And I'd never seen anything quite like him. But as the breeze in the cell increased to gale force, I knew he wouldn't be enough.

He had to know it, too. It was a choice between dying by storm, or dying by fire.

He snarled and leaped at Jaimie.

And Jaimie brought the storm.

The thunder outside shook the very foundations of the building. But beneath the ground, Jaimie was restricted to moving air. And that was exactly what he did.

The wind slammed into Slade, tossing him like a leaf. He crashed into the wall, rolled back to his feet, and came at Jaimie again.

A powerful gust flung me over the bed and into the far wall. It did much the same to Slade. But while Jaimie managed to reverse the wind, letting me slump into the wall, he hit Slade with his full force, smashing him against it.

The big shifter wasn't easy to take down. He shook blood out of his eyes as he rolled again to his feet to leap at Jaimie, who was now not entirely human and screeched as he swirled Slade up in the wind. Jaimie spun the shifter so fast he was only a blur, and then shot him out of the vicious vortex and into the wall.

The impact fractured the stone, but Jaimie didn't wait to see if it had done Slade in. He grabbed the body and swirled it again. And this time, Slade spun headfirst into the wall.

The crunch horrified me—it was a sound of breaking bone, and the big shifter's body slid to the ground. Why did my heart twist? And then, hesitate?

The conflicting reactions tore at my soul as Jaimie grinned. His expression turned my ex-Centaur blood to ice, but my Drake reached again for him. It was all Caliel and Riggs could do to hold her back. As I faced Jaimie, my terror and rage warred with a surge of pure lust.

He took a long step toward me, and my mind raced. My only chance now, was to buy us time for Victor to get here.

"The collar will kill me, if I let her out," I said. "If you really want to do this, we need to get it off."

It was the truth, and he heard the ring of it in my voice. His stride hitched as his eyes flared silver. "Where is the key?"

I had no idea. If I knew Victor, he had the only copy. "It must be out there," I said, pointing out the door.

His lips lifted in a snarl, and he spun to stalk out into the room beyond.

My eyes fell to Slade's lifeless form—and saw that he'd shifted back to human. Was he still alive, then? He didn't look as though he were breathing.

Through the desperation of the moment, everything clicked.

Caliel. We have to do this.

What? Are you crazy? I can't leave you now. The Ice Drake…

I have her. Riggs's voice boomed through the link. This is about more than just getting proof, he reminded the Gryphon. We need to be able to get Breana out of there. He paused, almost as though he were drawing a long mental breath. This Slade guy is perfect. Close to Victor, and with influence.

And dying, I added, peering at the body as my odd internal conflict continued. Was I upset that Slade might be—actually, he now looked more than just dying. Or dead. I can't tell.

Caliel growled. That was all, no words. But Riggs was right, and he knew it.

If I think he will live, or can be saved, I cannot force him out of his own body, he said .

But you will try? I pushed.

A sound, as if he'd clacked his beak at me. I will try, he said.