14. Zero

Chapter fourteen

Zero

I rush toward the front door and storm outside, accidentally slamming into Gideon.

He hits the ground. Hard. “Fuck, bossman, what’s going on?”

Silver appears by Gideon’s side and extends his hand as he helps the demigod stand up—not that a little asphalt can take someone as powerful as Gideon out.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before, we need to get to a clearing,” I shout. “I have to shift.”

Silver arches a brow, but they follow me as I take off down the alley and toward the back parking lot. Luckily, my dragon is only the size of a large van. As I run, I yank off my jacket and shirt, then hand my wallet and phone to Gideon.

“Why are you shifting?” Silver asks.

“I need to stop doubting myself,” I murmur, before speaking up. “Dragons aren’t usually affected by a witch’s magic. If I shift, I can fly overhead, and I might be able to sense Calix.” I skid to a stop and tug off my pants. I toss them to Silver.

“Take Gideon with you. You need one of us for backup. Gid can carry your phone, and I can track your location.”

I nod, thankful my friends are here. “Alright. You ready?”

Gideon nods eagerly. “Hell yeah! I love flying.”

Silver shudders next to us. The Fae always hate being airborne.

My dragon throws himself against my ribcage, and scales ripple along my arms. He’s eager to get out. Eager to take to the wind and find our mate. Without a second thought, I let the shift take over. Scales erupt all over my body, my wings expand, and I fall to all fours. This shift is always painful but it’s over within seconds.

Gideon places my phone in his jacket pocket, zips it closed, and wraps his arms around my neck. Climbing onto my back effortlessly is something we have down pat. I crouch low to the ground, then spring into the air, taking flight.

Gideon whoops with joy as I aim for the sky.

It takes longer than I hoped, but finally I feel my bond with Calix. Worry pulses through me at the faint magic. Something is very wrong with my mate.

I think he’s dying.

I bite back a sob.

We soar through the air until I’m hovering over a spot in the forest. From this angle, I can see a small cave opening. Gideon must spot it too, because his grip on me tightens. Once he has a decent grip, I dive toward the ground. Since I’m a dragon, there’s no real way for me to land quietly, especially with someone on my back.

I land with a thump and shift back. Gideon tosses my clothes at me and in record time, I have my pants and sweater on. I don’t bother zipping it closed. We fall into formation and take to the shadows. Sneaking up on a vampire is nearly impossible, but we move quietly and efficiently, just in case Dante is distracted.

When I enter the cave, I spot the rogue easily, but I draw up short when I notice him rocking manically on the ground. Knees curled up to his chest. Gideon’s eyes whip toward mine, and I silently communicate that I have no idea what’s going on. We move forward, and I listen with all my senses. I’m pretty sure Dante is the only rogue.

Movement catches my eye. It’s Calix. He blinks large blue eyes my way, and whimpers weakly.

“Calix!” I cry out, rushing to his side. I throw myself onto the ground next to him, and immediately start working on the knots at his wrists. Thank the gods, it’s only rope. But why hasn’t he snapped through them himself?

Not wanting to hurt him, just in case, I begin untying his bonds. Briefly I glance up at Gideon and nod toward the crazed rogue still rocking on the ground. “Kill him,” I snarl. “I don’t want my mate to ever see his face again.”

Gideon nods. Without hesitation, he uses his demigod strength and rips the rogue’s head from his body, then tosses it to the ground just as Dante disintegrates to ash.

As soon as the knots are loose, he crumples to the ground. “Oh gods. Baby, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“Sta–starving,” he rasps.

Fuck. There is a sunken slump to his body, dark bags under his eyes, his fangs are extended, and lips are chapped. My mate is starving to death. My dragon roars in my chest, banging violently against my chest. Anger fuels us both, but I use that rage to slash my wrist with my claws. Then, I let my vampire feed from me.

He’s too weak to pour pleasure into me, thank goodness. I need to feel the pain. I need to know I’m helping my mate. Eventually, Calix begins to suck at my wrist. He starts off with tiny weak sucks, until they turn into healthy pulls.

I’m vaguely aware of Silver arriving with backup. Silver mentions something about blood bags, but I shoo him away.

I press tiny kisses into Calix’s hair and murmur sweet nothings, hoping he can hear what I’m saying. Once I feel pleasure pouring through our bond, I know everything will be okay. Calix will be okay.

Smiling, I close my eyes and let my vampire drink his fill.