Cao crashed through the portal, smacking into hard rock. Groaning beside him indicated his companions had made it through, too. He rubbed his face and staggered to all fours. Quiet greeted his ears and darkness surrounded them.

“Bloody good job, Daji. Thanks, love.” Price rubbed his hands together and leapt to his feet.

The Queen of the fox spirits had opened the portal for them into the Qinglong territory. This unoccupied chamber was the perfect choice. Now, they had to remain undetected.

Hopefully, Ling wouldn’t be far. Though he hadn’t wished to admit it earlier, he did need these two. Their connection to Ling through Sheep would help them locate her.

The faster they were in and out, the more likely it would be for his head to remain attached to his body.

“Which way?” He regarded Delun, who pressed against one wall, head cocked as though listening.

“It would be a hell of a lot easier if Sheep would cloak her, but I have an idea.” He rolled his shoulders and the hazy cloaking of Dragon surrounded him. “If she can’t call out to us, Sheep can receive our message.”

“Right.” Price nodded at him, then cloaked Horse. The powerful stallion pawed the ground and snorted.

They waited several heartbeats. Would Ling sense the pulsing from her circle of Chosen?

Suddenly, Delun angled his head toward the leftmost corridor. “There. She’s that way.”

“Did you connect with her?” Cao stepped forward.

“No.” Delun sent Cao a sideways glance. “But there’s a shitload of jīng emanating from that direction. That’s where we’ll find her.”

Fuck.

Was he too late? Had Ling already made the choice to do this, without him?

He’d come, ready to fight for her, but he’d also appreciated he might have to retreat.

Respect her choices as her own.

Even if it killed him inside.

Swallowing thickly, he crept into the corridor. Delun and Price released their cloakings and followed him. The hallways were empty. Although, farther along, moans and rumblings resounded from within the chamber on the right.

Employing caution, he approached and poked his head inside. A handful of nude males and females writhed against each other, but he didn’t spot Ling, so he continued on.

Only half-relieved.

Especially as more whimpers echoed from up ahead.

The next few chambers didn’t hold Ling. He almost snatched a spark of hope he wasn’t too late, but Delun tapped him on the arm and jerked his chin to the cavern ahead. A crash of sexual noises tumbled from within. “She’s in there.”

So she was. His entire body tensed, the brilliancy of his plan evading him. He shouldn’t have come.

This might be the hugest mistake he’d ever make.

Because he’d likely not live to make another one.

* * *

The hairs on Ling’s arm pricked. Tingling crawled down her spine. She rubbed at her arms, but the sensation didn’t diminish.

Within her, Sheep awoke and paced, full of anxiety. What is it, Sheep?

Had this jīng energy stirred the spirit animal? Ling tried to sleep, curled between a few pillows, but the dragons had kept at it for hours. Would they ever stop? Ry and Garin had claimed one corner for themselves, while Kaz and Zyx had taken over another.

Despite their coaxing offers, Ling hadn’t wished to partake. Though she’d had more than an eyeful of what sex with a dragon looked like, she was a gazillion degrees of inexperienced.

The notion of accepting their offer made her uncomfortable. Not because it didn’t seem pleasant, but because she wasn’t sure how she’d react. How her body would respond.

Whether her heart had any say in the matter.

The trust wasn’t there. For her to open up so much, she demanded complete trust. She didn’t have that with the Qinglong, not yet.

They didn’t trust her, either. Otherwise, they would have set her free.

Not kept her prisoner.

Color it any way, she was here against her will.

She missed Cao, and longed to be with him, but what if that would never be possible? Her heart twisted inside her chest. She might never see him again. Ling sighed and smothered her face in a cushion. It smelled like jasmine and lavender. Calming. Bringing clarity to her mind.

Cao said to try everything once…

She should join them. Get it over with. Do what they requested—embrace her nature.

Still, the nagging thought drove through her mind. I’m only half dragon.

Should she ignore the other half of her nature? Dismiss it entirely?

No. She clenched her fists. That wasn’t her destiny. I’m the bridge. She wouldn’t be able to be that if she didn’t embrace both sides.

Somehow, she’d have to unearth a solution.

Which didn’t include dragon orgies.

A jolt zapped down her spine and Sheep shuffled. Easy, Sheep. She tensed, listening, stretching out her senses. Horse. Dragon. Why was she detecting them? They were far away, weren’t they?

Hell, no. They were here?

Not far, either. Inching forward, Ling shifted to sit and peek at the intertwined lovers. They were pretty occupied. She could sneak away.

To do what? Retreat to the human world? Put her friends and Cao in danger?

She scowled. Was he still imprisoned in smelted gold? He must hate her for it. So much pain and agony because of her.

At the very least, she had to shoo the other Chosen. It wasn’t safe for them.

Employing Sheep’s expert skill of blending in, Ling sifted her body through the mountains of cushions, disappearing from the dragons’ view and sneaking toward the arched doorway.

No one stopped her. She held her breath as she emerged from the pile by the door and glanced up.

Oh, gods. It wasn’t Price or Delun who’d come to rescue her.

It was Cao.

* * *

Ling? Cao froze as a feminine figure appeared almost out of nowhere from a mountain of cushions.

He held the air in his lungs, keeping still in case it wasn’t actually her.

But then she whispered, “Cao?”

And his heart kind of exploded.

She rose to her feet and rushed to him, smacking straight into his open arms. He crushed her against his chest, no longer caring about whatever she’d been up to.

It doesn’t matter.

She’s with me now.

She’s mine.

He wasn’t ever going to let anyone change that.

Cao smoothed back her hair and kissed the top of her head.

“How?” She tilted her face to his, leaning back.

He jerked his chin toward the Chosen.

“Price? Delun?” Ling darted from his arms to give swift hugs to the two men. “What are you doing here?”

“Rescuing you, fair maiden.” Price grinned.

“Wow, thank you, Sir Knight,” Ling chirped, mock-curtseying. “I’m so ready to get out of here.”

“Too much dragon flesh for you, heh?” Price snickered, poking his head into the chamber.

“Yeah, that’s not really my thing,” Ling huffed, “but thanks for making this super awkward.” She shot him a sarcastic smile.

“Ling?” The bloody, blue-haired female’s voice rang down his spine. Shit.

He whipped around, but it was too late.

A shawl lazily draped around her nude form, Ry peered at them. “Who are these men? What are you doing with them?” She edged closer, her eyes growing round. “Fuck me, it’s you.”

Ling rushed between them. “I’m leaving with them, Ry. I have to go home.”

The female’s thin brows knitted together. “This is your home. Besides, he won’t let you leave.”

“Who won’t?” Delun’s voice boomed behind them.

Ry flicked her perusal to him, before scrutinizing each of them in turn. “Ling’s grandfather, the Dragon King.”

Damn, but he’d been expecting that. “Ling, I don’t have the best history with him. If he catches me, I’m as good as dead. Come on, let’s go.” He clasped her arm, but Ling wouldn’t budge.

She twisted free, casting him a nod. Then she approached Ry and wrapped her arms about the other woman. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay. Thank you for your help.”

“If you must leave, do so quickly, before anyone sees you. I’ll distract the others.” She winked, implying how she’d distract them. “Taking one for the team.”

“Thanks.” Ling squeezed her once and released her. Ry caught her cheek with her hand and coaxed Ling’s lips onto hers for a quick, tender kiss.

Cao flinched, but Ling patted the other woman’s hand and lowered it, stepping back from her.

After spinning, Ling didn’t meet his gaze but stared straight ahead. “How do we get out of here?”

“This way.” Price extracted a pendant from his jacket pocket. He opened it, flourishing a compact mirror.

“Your make-up’s fine, gorgeous.” Ling sniggered.

“Ha ha.” Price held up the mirror for her to inspect closer. “Daji makes portals through mirrors. Consider this an unlimited service anywhere satellite phone.”

She bobbed her head in understanding, but sudden concern pinched her features and she spun about. “Wait. Ry!”

The female whirled around, hands on hips. “What?”

“What happens to you if I disappear?”

The flinch on the female dragon’s face was their answer.

Dammit.

* * *

I’m not leaving,” Ling announced, not caring who protested.

“We have to go.” Delun hedged a cautious glance around. “We’ve already stayed too long.”

“You can go.” She swept her hand at the three men. “I’m grateful for your help, but I’m not about to let someone else suffer for me.” She steeled her shoulders, the decision right in her gut. “I can’t do it.”

“Then I’m not leaving, either.” Cao crossed his arms.

Ugh. Men.

“He won’t hurt me, but he will try to kill you.”

“I’ve endured worse.” His scrutiny slanted to Ry.

Right. The being smelted alive.

Ling released a slow puff of air. “We’ll have to determine another way to secure our freedom. There has to be something we can bargain with.” Her mind ran over the meeting with her grandfather. Hmm. The one thing which had stood out was…

The stone. Doubtful he would ever hand it over to her, but if he didn’t have a choice, he’d stop a second to listen to reason.

“We have to steal his jewel.” She omitted the true nature of the stone, for their protection. “It’s our only shot.”

Delun scoffed, curling his lip. “You want to steal from a dragon? Have you not met any dragons?”

“He’s right.” Ry tossed her head. “The King never takes it off. Not even when sleeping. To even get close enough, you’d have to be—”

“A master thief.” Ling stared hard at Cao. He could do this. He’d had centuries upon centuries of practice.

“The human?” Ry sneered. “He won’t survive ten seconds in the King’s bedchamber.”

“Actually,” Cao marched forward and glared at Ry, quirking his lips smugly, “I will.”

Rivalry sparked between those two. Because of me? Or the whole smelting incident? Ling flung aside the musings. She didn’t have time for those. “We have to work quickly. Cao, are you certain you can do this?”

“Is she worth it?” he droned, glancing at Ry.

“Yes.” She nodded firmly.

He reached into his pocket and produced a ninja mask, tugging it over his face. “Then lead the way.”

Everyone regarded Ry, who huffed and waved her hand. “Come on. It’s over here.”

They wound through several glistening tunnels where the rock walls perspired, dripping heavy beads of water onto the floor in a rhythmic splattering.

“Wait.” Delun held up a hand and frowned at Cao. “This won’t work. He’ll smell him long before Cao even gets near.”

“True.” Ling perused Ry. “What can we do?”

“Well,” the dragon offered them an impish smirk, “I can mask his scent, but he’s not gonna like it.”

Cao snorted. “Just do it.”

Ry blasted into her dragon form, towering above them, and bent forward, her long forked tongue flicking toward Cao.

Then she proceeded to lick him. All over. Slobbering like a dog.

Until Cao was drenched in dragon saliva.

Ling crinkled her nose while Cao lifted an arm dripping with mucous.

“Now, don’t die, Immortal.” Ry flashed him a fanged grin.

“Can’t die, but thanks for the concern.”

“Humph. He could bite off your head.”

Cao edged forward and rumbled in a low voice, “Even then, I wouldn’t die.”

* * *

A nasty little fact. Eight Immortals couldn’t die. Not even by beheading. His body would regenerate even as the rendering object sliced through his neck. The result? Cao couldn’t lose his head.

Ever.

He might, however, lose his cool at the hold Ry possessed over Ling. All this to save the dragon wench. Hell, no, it wasn’t Ry risking herself to steal the jewel.

The honor fell on him.

Luckily, he recalled the jewel they spoke of. He’d noticed it on the King the last time they’d met, under those unfortunate circumstances. His eternal banishment from their territory hadn’t seemed like such a bad deal back then. Now, he’d love for the chance to stroll onto their lands and negotiate.

Was there more to this stone? Ling had been adamant he had to steal it.

Regardless, Ling was right. The sole solution to securing her freedom, to ensuring the dragons wouldn’t bother her again, was to play hardball.

Get their hands a little dirty.

It was the only thing the dragons would respect. As much as they’d hate what he would do, they’d respect him for it, as well. Maybe, even Ling would admire him. The hope sure drove him onward.

Covered in dragon goober and all.

“We’re here. It’s that one.” Ry pointed to a massive archway leading into a darkened chamber. No guards stood vigil, but that was likely because no one was dumb-assed enough to attempt something like this.

No one except me.

“You can do this,” Ling murmured behind him, fortifying his confidence.

Cao adjusted his mask and stole inside. Well, the Dragon King wasn’t hard to locate. Snoring like mid-summer thunder resonated off the far right walls.

As his eyes adapted to the dim lighting, he spotted the vague outline of the beast, curled atop a pile of…coins. Of course. He wouldn’t sleep on plush cushions like a normal creature, instead, he had to repose upon a perilous mountain of hard gold that would clink at the slightest change in position.

Fun fun.

Cao rubbed his hands together and surveyed the chamber. Hmm. He didn’t have to climb the coin mountain. Draperies drooped from the ceiling in a crisscrossed pattern. The filmy silks might be sturdy enough to hold his weight.

Creeping noiselessly, he wove between vast mountains of jewels. What a fortune. From the corner of his eye, an especially exquisite piece glinted at him. The gem beckoned him, flawless, dazzling, and…mine. Hehe. He plucked it from the pile and stowed it in his secret inside pocket. Next, he followed the wall on the left until his hands fingered smooth silk. He trailed his fingers upward along the fabric and grasped it, giving a hard tug. The silk held. Hell, yes.

After winding his hands through the length, he hauled himself upward, climbing the silk rope. From the wall, he intercepted a second ribbon, which appeared to lead across the chamber. Carefully, he transferred his weight to the second rope and climbed upside down, threading his body toward the dragon’s slumbering form.

He switched ropes a few times, getting closer and closer. Until, at last, he hung above the Dragon King’s head, the twinkling jewel within his view, but far from his reach. After securing his feet in a twisted length of silk, Cao slid a dagger from his boot and sliced the blade across the main line. The rope collapsed, thrusting him in a spiraling downward path. He whooshed toward the dragon’s head, but the tie he’d secured clinched tight and snapped him back up like a rubber band. He gripped the silk and halted his momentum. Once he’d wound the silk around his ankle, he dove forward, swaying side to side, fingers extended to snatch the violet stone atop the dragon’s head.

His fingers grazed it, but he couldn’t get a hold, so he leaned forward, deeper on the next swing, holding his breath and gritting his teeth.

He closed his hand around the jewel, but the tip of his knuckles brushed the dragon’s plumage.

Fuck.

The Dragon King whipped open his eyes and leapt from his mountain of gold, coins clinking everywhere, and he snorted blue dragon fire across the room in a wave of destruction.

After, he grew still and quiet, those mighty nostrils flaring.

Cao didn’t dare flex a muscle. The Dragon King hadn’t detected him, yet.

And, the stone was in his hand.