Chapter 51

Area Around Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

Cloaked in the darkness of the night, Gen and Emperor soared straight over the top of the nearest building surrounding the Federal Reserve Bank with a guard. The man, dressed in all black, would have gone unnoticed by most, crouched down on the edge of the roof, looking over the side of the building at the street below with a gun. However, Gen's vision, enhanced by the chi of the dragon, saw the man in detail. It was like he was highlighted in her sight—possibly because she was meant to spot evil, she believed.

Soundlessly, the purple dragon, as dark as the night, dropped several yards straight down. When Emperor was in the right location, Gen swung her leg around the side of his body. She sucked in a breath, nodded her confirmation to her dragon and then let go, falling straight from his back.

Gen dropped silently from the side of the dragon, landing in a crouched position on the rooftop. Her fingers touched the hard surface of the building's top, securing her balance. Her boots barely made a sound on the concrete.

The sniper, his back turned, seemed oblivious to her presence. His full attention was focused on the streets below. With a quick glance at Emperor, who hovered nearby, ready to provide support, Gen waved for him to continue on. She had this guy and he could take the other two, as they planned. The golden glint in the dragon's eyes told her that he confirmed her command. Turning ahead, Emperor soared toward the next building, his wings making gentle beats that were masked by the noise of the city all around.

Gen crept forward, her muscles tight like a panther stalking its prey. However, she would never strike a man from behind. Not even a bad man, as this one would have to be if he was on the bank robber's squad. Still, Gen had honor. She'd learned that from her father. You told a man when he was about to get waylaid, not stab him blindly in the back.

Clearing her throat, Gen stood tall, catching the attention of the armed man. He jerked upright, tensing all over as he fumbled slightly with his weapon.

Suddenly, the sniper spun around, his eyes widening in surprise as he caught sight of Gen. She was definitely not what he expected—a seemingly unarmed woman in all black.

"What do you want?" he asked, totally confused and caught off guard by her sudden presence there. "Are you lost?"

She shook her head, bravely taking a step forward, not intimidated by his weapon. Yes, he could fire it fast and the bullet would do quick work. But Gen didn't think he could actually pull the trigger quicker than she could knock him out. The chi of the dragon was growing more powerful in her. Pulsing in her veins. Giving her superhuman strength and speed—and she was already powerful before. Gen was yearning to see what she could do when let loose.

"I'm here to stop you," she said, watching him closely, waiting for him to telegraph his next move.

The man laughed, lifting his gun. "I think you're outmatched. And who do you think you are, some vigilante? I'm busy, sweetheart. Go and find someone else to show off to."

Gen sighed. "You can make this easy and give me your gun and go home or I can take it and break your nose. Your call."

Another laugh. "You're going to take my weapon, huh?" A smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he slung his gun over his back and raised his hands in mock surrender. "What, am I under arrest?" he quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Go ahead and read me my Miranda rights. I'm your prisoner, just promise not to hurt me, pretty-thing."

Gen's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a snarl. "I don't know what these so-called Miranda rights are," she growled, her fists clenching at her sides. "But I do know how to bring scum like you to justice."

When Gen lifted her hand in front of her face, the guy looked extra amused, like he thought she was about to break into a sexy dance. Since he was so distracted, he hadn't noticed that the weapon attached to the strap around his midsection was rising into the air.

Gen glanced up at the gun, making his eyes follow hers. That's when he saw the weapon hovering overhead.

"Hey!" the mortal yelled, not used to such magic.

Before he could jump for the gun, Gen jerked her hand to the side, pulling the strap off him and throwing the weapon through the air using magic. It landed on the far side of the rooftop, skidding to the other end.

The sniper glared at her in shock, his grin from before having been erased by fear and rage. Screaming with hostility, he lunged forward at her. His fist shot through the air, aimed at Gen's face. She dodged the blow, her reflexes honed by years of training and much faster than ever before, thanks to the chi of the dragon.

Gen countered with a swift kick to his midsection. Her boot connected hard with the man's stomach, knocking him back several yards. He staggered from the assault, clutching his ribs. The sniper grunted, spitting on the ground, but finally looked up, regaining his footing, his eyes blazing with fury.

The man came at Gen again, but honestly, it was like fighting her sister. She easily parried each of his attacks. Thankfully that gave her a chance to check her surroundings.

As they traded blows, Gen caught a glimpse of Emperor out of the corner of her eye. The dragon had crossed over to the other building where the second sniper was stationed. He dove at once, a silent oncoming attack like a shooting star falling out of the sky.

Unseen by his prey, the purple dragon swooped down just behind the sniper crouched on the edge of the building. Emperor's jaws opened wide as he soared over the top of the building. He unleashed a torrent of flames on the roof, just behind where the sniper was positioned, his back to the attack.

Startled, the sniper jumped, whipped around at once, holding his gun at the ready. His face filled with fear and shock as he discovered the source of the attack. The man screamed. At the sight of the flames and the flying dragon, he dropped his gun and ran for cover, his clothing smoking from the heat of the flames.

Gen's momentary distraction cost her. The sniper landed a solid punch to her jaw, sending her reeling. Pain seared across her face, making her teeth hurt and lips feel raw suddenly.

She tasted blood in her mouth, the coppery tang mixing with the acrid scent of smoke and burning debris. But she refused to back down, her determination burning brighter than the flames that licked at the neighboring rooftop.

She lunged forward, her fist connecting with the sniper's nose with a sickening crunch. He howled in pain, stumbling back, trying to get some space from his attacker. But Gen pressed her advantage, raining blows down upon him with a fury that seemed to come from the very depths of her soul. She didn't like bullies and hated guns. And bad police were worse than the worst criminals they were meant to stop. This guy would get her vengeance—which was what he deserved.

In the distance, she heard the sound of something clattering to the ground. Taking a moment away from her waylaying, she glanced up to see Emperor. In the distance, he had flown over to the third building. His talons were wrapped around the last remaining sniper and he appeared to be carrying him off into the night sky. The weapon, now useless, lay shattered on the rooftop, a testament to the dragon's own hatred of the weapons and of bad men.

Returning her attention to the sniper, Gen considered throwing the guy off the side of the building. However, she stopped bad men. She didn't kill unless she had to. In this scenario, she'd save the lone man from the trolley and the city from the runaway vehicle too.

Pulling back her fist, Gen delivered a final, brutal punch, to the nearly passed out man, staggering around, like a drunk before her. The sniper crumpled to the ground, his eyes rolling back in his head as he lost consciousness. She stood over him, her chest heaving, her knuckles throbbing with pain. She knew she couldn't do that again, her hand already swelling and bruising from the force of the blows.

But as she looked down at the fallen sniper, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over her. "You're under arrest," she muttered, her voice hoarse with exhaustion and adrenaline.

"The path is clear for your team, Captain," Gen said over the comm.

"Copy that," Captain Neal replied sternly.

"Nice work," Jack said over the comm. "And I'll teach you the Miranda rights if you want, pretty-thing."

Gen smirked, knowing that he was referring to the name calling that made her break the sniper's nose. "I think I'll just stick with my own way of delivering justice. But thanks."

As Emperor landed beside her, his scales glistening in the moonlight, Gen felt a surge of pride and gratitude. Together, they had faced the darkness and emerged victorious, a testament to the unbreakable bond between dragon and rider.

"What did you do with that third guy?" she asked, pointing to the last building.

"I dropped him at a city jail and told him he could live there or he could actually work there," the dragon answered. "We all have a choice. Be a part of the problem or be the solution. They both take the same amount of effort."

Gen grinned, nodding appreciatively as she climbed onto the back of her dragon. As they took to the skies once more, she felt a renewed confidence that she sorely needed. The city stretched out beneath them like a glittering jewel. There was a long night ahead and many more phases of the plan. But Gen knew that no matter what challenges they met, she and Emperor would face them together—now and always.