Olivia:

I can swim, but I’m no Draekon. Created for battle, the men have speed and strength far beyond even the most elite soldiers back on Earth. Zunix and Liorax race to the lake, moving so fast that their bodies are a blur, and then they dive in. Paige and May’s mates follow.

Instead of diving into the water, I run to Zunix’s house. With shaking fingers, I loosen the ropes holding the canoe tied in the air and lower it into the water. “Use the boat,” I scream at the nearest Draekons.

Yasix hears me. He changes direction, swimming toward the boat. He pulls himself into the small canoe and grabs the paddle in the bottom. Now that he has the boat, I try to locate Zunix and Liorax. Where are they? What if the dragons haven’t shifted back to men, and what if they attack my mates instead?

My mates.

I guess I’ve figured out where my allegiances lie.

Minutes tick by. Finally, Liorax emerges from the water, dragging a dark-haired man behind him. I shudder with relief, one that fades quickly when the man is helped from the water. One side of his body is badly burned. His skin is red and purple and blistered, and my stomach churns when I look at him. Damn Luddux and the other Draekons.

Zunix breaks the surface of the lake just seconds later. “I have the other one,” he shouts, his voice sounding strained in a manner that I’ve never heard. His arms are wrapped around the other Draekon’s shoulders. “Find Dariux. We need the med-kit. Now.”

* * *

Zunix:

We have done some stupid, foolish and misguided things before. We let Herrix chase away the Lowborn. We let Jorix and his friends walk away after their confrontation with Dariux.

But all of that pales in comparison with what we’ve done now.

Because the moment I glance at the man I rescued, I recognize him. He is older now, and much of his face is covered with a beard. His hair is long, hiding the ritualistic tattoos on his skull, but I would know this man anywhere.

Arax, Firstborn of Zoraht.

We have attacked the High Emperor’s son.

Liorax has pulled the man he saved into the boat. He reaches into the water to give me a hand, and then his face goes blank with shock. “What in the name of Caeron?” he whispers.

“Don’t let the others see his face.” I’ve never been as afraid as I am right now. We have attacked the Firstborn of Zoraht. Civilizations have been razed to the ground for far less provocation. According to our laws, Arax is well within his rights to demand the death of every single person in our camp.

Including Olivia.

If the others find out who they attacked, there will be mass panic. I can’t allow that to happen again. “I’m going to take them to the mansion,” I say, using Olivia’s nickname for the large treehouse we built for the human women.

Liorax nods. “They might not recognize him,” he says. “Not if they only catch a glimpse of his face. I’ll distract them.” He jumps to the shore and starts calling out orders, his voice firm and authoritative. “Enough gawking. We have work to do. Rezzix, Magnux, go in search of Dariux. We need his med-kit. Luddux, take five men and set up a perimeter patrol. Bolox, we need a grave dug for Jorix.”

Mutters of assent greet his commands. Obedience to the Highborn is instinctive to all of us from the High Empire. When the Lord of Laris issues an order, it will be followed, especially because Liorax so rarely uses his birthright as a weapon.

“What’s going on?” Olivia’s voice makes me jump. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”

“In a manner of speaking.” My throat is dry with fear. Olivia’s life is in grave danger. “I will explain everything. But we need to get them to the mansion first.”

She notices the way I’m shielding the Firstborn’s face. “And you don’t want people to see him.” She nods. “Okay, I’ve got you.”

She runs into the middle of the clearing and starts to scream, shout and sob. “What if they’re more of them?” she cries out, tears streaming from her eyes. She clutches at Herrix. “I’m so scared. I don’t want to be kidnapped.”

My lips curl into a smile. Herrix pats her on the back and peers down her shirt at the same time, and though I want to tear out his throat for touching her, I appreciate what Olivia’s doing.

She’s brave, and she’s smart, and she’s our mate.

If we can survive the oncoming storm.

Dariux returns to camp two hours later and immediately makes his way over to the room where the two Draekons are sleeping. “Well, well, well,” he says, looking down on Arax’s sleeping face. “Look what we have here.”

Dariux’s tone isn’t one of horror. It’s one of satisfaction. Unease trickles down my spine. “I don’t like your reaction,” I say slowly.

He ignores my words. “Has he woken up at all?”

“Just once. We put him back to sleep.” A heavy dose of the rubra leaves for the burnt Draekeon, and a more diluted potion for the Firstborn. “The other man needs immediate attention.”

“Hmm.” He walks over to the other bed in the room. “He’s Lowborn,” he says dismissively. “He can’t be important.” He lifts his head and gives me a searching look. “I’ve heard the accounts from the others,” he says. “What really happened?”

I don’t mention our suspicions that Belfox might be assembling a spaceship. I’m not planning on sharing that piece of news with Dariux. “Herrix and Belfox whipped the others up to a frenzy,” I say shortly. “I don’t care if he’s Lowborn. Use your med-kit, Dariux. That’s not a request.”

He gives me a mocking look. “Liorax’s idealism is rubbing off on you,” he says. “You ever think that the med-kit could be our bargaining chip out of this mess?”

“You do not bargain with the Firstborn of Zoraht,” I snap. Is Dariux insane? “You throw yourself on his mercy and hope and pray that he will let your loved ones live. We made a mistake when we attacked Arax. Let’s not make things worse by withholding care from his friend.”

He doesn’t react. “Dariux, use your head. Arax was in dragon form. If he can transform at will, then this man is very likely his pair-bond. Think of what will happen if you let the Firstborn’s pair-bond die. Don’t be a fool. This isn’t a game. All our lives are on the line.”

My words finally sink in. “Fine.” He pulls out the small piece of tech and holds it over the burnt flesh. It lights up, and the unconscious Draekon convulses as he begins to heal. In less than a knut, the man’s skin has lost its angry red color and has regained its bronze shades.

I take a deep breath, feeling a measure of relief for the first time since I pulled the Firstborn out of Lake Ang. “He’ll sleep through the night,” Dariux says. His eyes glint with anticipation. “And in the morning, we will talk.”

“What do you mean, talk?”

Dariux rolls his eyes. “Do you think I’m going to let them go? Don’t be ridiculous, Zunix. Of course not. Arax is going to help me solve a puzzle, one I’ve been working on for a very long time.”

I grow cold. “You are talking about holding them hostage.”

He doesn’t bother to deny this. “Yes.” His lips thin into a smile. “There were four human women in their camp. Assuming they have all mated, we are evenly matched. They have six more Draekons that can transform. So do we. They won’t risk a direct attack.”

This doesn’t make any sense. Unless… “What do you want?” I ask abruptly. “You think the other exiles have something you need. What?”

“You grew up on the homeworld. You know what the most important thing is. Knowledge, of course. If Arax doesn’t have what I need, then Brunox’s daughter will. One way or the other, I’m going to find what I’m looking for.”

“And what’s that?”

His eyes glimmer with amusement. He’s not going to tell me. “Knowledge is power, my friend. And I don’t share my power with anyone.”

“The others will not stand for this. They will not hold Arax for ransom.”

He holds up the med-kit. “Remember your deal, Zunix,” he warns. “I healed the human woman, and you and Liorax swore an oath. You promised me your support in a manner of my choosing. I call for it now. Do not interfere with what’s going to happen.”

Bast. I remember the terms well. Dariux isn’t threatening to kill the Firstborn. He’s just holding him hostage. I am bound by my word to stand by him.

Dariux is many things, but he’s not a fool. I am willing to wager my syn that he’s received similar promises of support from the other Draekons.

We have no reason to view the other exiles as enemies, but that’s what we’re doing.

This is a dark path we’re going down.